PM Imran Khan approves non-party LG system for Punjab

Lahore : Fearing the defeat in upcoming local bodies elections in Punjab , PM Imran Khan has accorded approval to non-party system LG system in urban Punjab whereas party base elections would be held in rural areas.

This decision favours the thought that after LG elections winners could be joined in ruling party by hook or crook . This would be another disaster for the political system that would weakened the democracy and political parties too .

Prime Minister Imran Khan said the local government system introduced by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf would brought about significant improvement in the areas of health, education and law and order.

The prime minister expressed these views while chairing the provincial parliamentary party meeting here during which the secretary local government gave a briefing on the local government system.

The prime minister said since improvement could not be expected without correcting the urban system, the new local government system would bring in positive change in real terms.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed in
detail about the proposed new local government system, which would empower the elected representatives at Tehsil and rural levels, to
help achieve development at lower tiers due to appropriate availability of funds through devolution of political, administrative and financial powers.

The meeting was told that under the new system, urban and rural areas would have separate local governments, whereas a system would also be introduced at village and Punchayat level. Under the new local government system, Neighbourhood Councils would be established besides raising the number of Metropolitan and Municipal Corporations in urban areas. Regarding election of local governments, it was told that elections of Tehsil Councilors would be held on party basis, whereas elections of Neighbourhood Councils and Punchayats would be held through non-party system.

The meeting was also briefed about the progress on legislation of the new local government system and the schedule of elections.