LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan stressed the need for an open discussion on local governments, proposing a constitutional amendment to add a new chapter ensuring their protection, empowerment, and mandatory elections on time.
During a press conference in Lahore on Friday, he said the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution addressing the political and constitutional complexities of local governance — with contributions from 35 opposition members. He stressed that every government must guarantee timely local elections and safeguard these institutions.
Malik Ahmad Khan highlighted that while provincial assemblies cannot amend the Constitution, Parliament should ensure that constitutional and administrative powers reach the grassroots level. He added that political parties should not shorten local governments’ terms for political convenience.
He termed it alarming that in Punjab’s 77-year history, local governments were absent for about 50 years. He congratulated assembly members for initiating discussions and called on all major parties — PML-N, PPP, PTI, and Jamaat-e-Islami — to take the matter seriously.
The PA speaker warned that the absence of effective local governance weakens the social contract between citizens and the state. He said citizens should know their taxes are being used locally and urged Parliament to grant constitutional protection to local bodies, even suggesting an all-parties conference if needed to strengthen the state-citizen relationship.