LAHORE (Muhammad Ashfaq) – The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued notices to the Punjab government, the Secretary of Local Government, and other respondents on a petition filed by the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly challenging several sections of the Punjab Local Government Act 2025.
Justice Sultan Tanvir heard the petition filed by Mueen Raza Qureshi and others through Barrister Abuzar Salman Khan Niazi.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that granting powers to the bureaucracy under the Local Government Act 2025 violates Article 140A of the Constitution, which mandates the devolution of authority to elected representatives.
He further contended that non-party-based local elections are a violation of Article 17 of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens the freedom of association and political affiliation. The lawyer argued that barring candidates from declaring their association with political parties before elections is unconstitutional, as political affiliation is a fundamental constitutional right.
The counsel maintained that the Local Government Act 2025 contradicts the principles of public representation and requested the court to strike down Sections 25, 32, 35, 40, and 55 of the Act.