Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly here Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution regarding granting constitutional protection to the local government system in the country.
The resolution presented by PPP parliamentary leader Ahmad Kundi recommended amending Article 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan and granting full political, administrative, and financial autonomy to local governments.
The resolution stated that the 1973 Constitution obliges the provinces to establish local governments and devolve powers to them; however, so far this system has suffered from a lack of continuity, autonomy, and resources.
The resolution also notes that several Supreme Court judgments have declared local governments an essential unit of the state structure, but their repeated dissolution and unstable legislation have adversely affected their effective role.
The resolution emphasized that local governments around the world enjoy constitutional protection, and that the Election Commission of Pakistan has also recommended amendments to Article 140-A to ensure timely elections and better governance.
The resolution presented by PPP leader Ahmad Kundi proposes the following constitutional amendments: clearly defining the tenure and responsibilities of local governments; making it constitutionally mandatory to hold elections within 90 days after the completion of the term or dissolution of local governments; requiring newly elected local bodies to convene their first meeting within 21 days of the announcement of election results; granting political, administrative, and financial autonomy to local bodies; establishing a local service cadre; linking the Provincial Finance Commission with the National Finance Commission; and allowing amendments to local government laws only through a two-thirds majority to ensure stability.
Furthermore, the resolution recommended adding a new chapter titled ‘Local Governments’ to the Constitution, under which local government institutions would be given constitutional protection as state institutions, similar to federal and provincial governments, so that they may become truly autonomous, effective, and public-service-oriented institutions rather than remaining under the influence of provincial governments.