LHC seeks comparative review of local govt laws in LG Act 2025 case

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Apr, 2026) The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday directed the Punjab government to submit a comparative review of local government laws from other provinces while hearing petitions challenging the Local Government Act 2025.

Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad presided over the proceedings on petitions filed by Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore and others.Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman appeared before the court.

Assistant Advocate General Asad Ghazi represented the provincial government, while Imran Arif Ranjha appeared on behalf of the Election Commission.

During the hearing, the court raised key questions regarding the mechanism of local government elections, particularly whether chairmen and vice-chairmen would be elected directly or indirectly. The government’s counsel argued that indirect elections are also practiced in institutions like the Senate and for the Speaker, where elected representatives choose their leaders.

However, the court observed that the Senate is an upper house with a different constitutional role, whereas the structure of local governments is distinct.

The court further questioned whether past local government laws also provided for indirect elections of chairmen, vice-chairmen, and district nazims, and ordered a detailed comparative report on the matter.

Advocate Azhar Siddique contended that members of the Punjab Assembly are directly elected and subsequently elect the Speaker, adding that applying a Senate-style system to local governments would be inappropriate.

Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman argued that local government elections worldwide are conducted through direct voting, and even at the union council level, indirect elections would be against democratic norms. He maintained that electing multiple representatives through a single vote undermines the democratic process.

The court remarked that legislation falls within the domain of Parliament and judicial intervention is only warranted if a law contradicts the Constitution. It noted that several aspects of the new law require further clarity and assured that all parties would be given a fair opportunity to present their arguments.

The court also questioned the Election Commission over the delay in holding local government elections in Punjab, emphasizing that there is no judicial restraint in place and that conducting elections remains the Commission’s responsibility.

The hearing was adjourned until April 20, with directions to the Punjab government to submit the comparative report. .