This is a Basic Survey Report about Local Bodies Election Renala Khurd 2015

1. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur
Local Government System in Renala Khurd
(Municipal Committee)
Submitted By:
M. Ali Raza Naqvi
M.A political Science (2014-2016)
Submitted To:
Associate professor Dr. Mussawar Hussain Bukhari
Department of the Political Science
Basic Survey Report

2. Local Government System in Renala Khurd (Municipal Committee)
Coordinates 30°53′N 73°36′E
Country Pakistan
Province Punjab
Elevation 173 M (568 ft.)
Total Population 120,794
Time zone PST (UTC+5)
Number of towns 1
Number of Union councils 2
Location & History:
Renala Khurd is a growing city of Okara District in the north east of the Punjab province
of Pakistan. The city is the Headquarters of Renala Khurd Tehsil an administrative subdivision
of the district. Its approximate height above sea level is about 570 feet (170 m). It is located at
30°53'N 73°36'E and is about 116 kilometers (72 Miles) away from Lahore and 18 kilometers
(11 mi) away from the district capital Okara city towards South-West of Lahore on national
highway (GT Road) and on Lahore Karachi main railway line. Eastern Time zone of Renala
Khurd is UTC+5+6DT.
Renala Khurd city was established in 1914. Akbar named the corridor as 'Bari Doab' by
combining the syllables of the names of two rivers, Beas and Ravi that bounded the belt.
Previously in this region there were acres of barren and unirrigated land with trees of Malah, and
it was formerly known as Malah Wala. A part of Renala Khurd is naturally deprived of the
underground sweet water. People in this region rely on canals as the main source of irrigation, as
tube-wells, unlike other parts of the district, only pour out salty water which spoils the land.
These ruins give a mysterious look something like a blend of desert and tiny hills, and also serve
as the hideout for thieves and robbers.
In 1849, the British occupied this area. The British Indian army built Canal Loar-Bari-Doo-Aab
and colonies with the help of imported migrant labour employed to clear and develop the forest
and scrub land. In the era of the British Raj, brilliant irrigation network of canals were
established all over the Punjab and extending into Sindh.
After the 1947 partition, the Pakistan Army took control of the major portion of irrigated land
left by the army of the British Raj on which it established its own farms and maintaining the
tenants. One of the largest of these farms is that in Okara, spread over 17,000 acres (69 km2) of
prime land.
The peasant migrants were promised ownership once it was rendered arable, but as it turned out
to be the most fertile and rich of the provinces; the army reconsidered, retained ownership of the

3. land and settled the migrants as tenants. In 1913, Renala Khurd Stud State Farm leased out 5,000
acres (20 km2) of land to the Punjab government to cater to the needs of the army for horses,
fodder and dairy products, and the tenancy agreements continued.
Administration
The city of Renala Khurd serves as the headquarters of Renala Khurd Tehsil, the city of Renala
Khurd itself is administratively subdivided into two Union councils.
Agriculture
Renala Khurd is home to the food processing company "Mitchell's Fruit Farms Limited". It
has orchards of guava & citrus running b/w the lower Bari doab canal and the Multan Road, for
about 8 miles all the way up to Okara bypass. This region is also well known as a major producer
of sugarcane & rice. These crops can be cultivated due to abundance of water supplied by the
lower Bari doab canal & smaller water channels.
In winter many small farmers set up traditional ways of processing sugar cane. They extract its
juice and add soda to produce molasses.
Climate
Most areas in Renala Khurd experience fairly cool winters, often accompanied by rain. By mid-
February the temperature begins to rise; springtime weather continues until mid-April, when the
summer heat sets in.
The onset of the southwest monsoon is anticipated to reach Renala Khurd by May, but since the
early 1970s the weather pattern has been irregular. The spring monsoon has either skipped over
the area or has caused it to rain so hard that floods have resulted. June and July are oppressively
hot. The hardest part of the summer is then over, but cooler weather does not come until late
October.
Demographics
Renala Khurd, encompassing a radius of 7 km, is 120,794 home to people. The population of
Renala Khurd is over 99% Muslim with a Sunni majority and Shia minority; there are also small
non-Muslims groups of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs. Because of its strategic location in the
Indian sub-continent, wave after wave of migrants poured into the area and settled on its fertile
lands and today, although originally belonging to the Aryan stock, the people of Renala Khurd
are descendants of the Iranians, Turks, Afghans and Arabs who came individually or in groups.
The major language spoken in the Renala Khurd is Punjabi (which is written in Perso-Arabic
script, known as Shahmukhi in Pakistan) and Punjabis make up the largest ethnic group (overlap
into neighboring India). Punjabis themselves are a heterogeneous group comprising different

4. tribes and communities, although caste in Renala Khurd has more to do with traditional
occupations such as blacksmiths or artisans as opposed to rigid social stratifications.
The most important tribes within Renala Khurd include Kharals, Rajputs, Syed, Jats, the Arain,
Kamyana, Gujjars and Gakhars. Smaller tribes include the Awans, Rawns, Kamboh and Maliks.
In addition, there is a significant shift towards the usage of Urdu by the educated classes of the
province.
Amenities
Renala Khurd is accessible through the historic Grand Trunk Road. Pakistan Railways provides
an important mode of transportation for commuters in Renala Khurd. The railway connects the
farthest corners of the country and brings them closer to Renala Khurd for business, sightseeing
and education. The Renala Khurd Railway Station is located in the east side of the city, which
was built during the British Colonial era. There are three railway gates in Renala Khurd. The city
also contains a post office and two police stations (City Police Station and Saddar Police
Station).
Ghala Mandi (Grain Market)
Ghala Mandi (Grain Market) Renala Khurd was established in 1914. Renala Khurd is important
Tehsil of Okara. It has a popular Ghala Mandi (Grain Market) of Punjab which is Aktrabad
Ghala Mandi (Grain Market). One of the first Physicians to start practicing in Renala Khurd, Dr.
Zaka Ullah, had his office in the Ghala Mandi.
Renala State Military Farm
The Renala State Military Farm was formerly known as Glaxo. A quarter of a century ago, Glaxo
was a small British firm with its origins in the dried-milk, cream and butter business and most of
its sales in antibiotics, respiratory drugs and nutritional supplements, which is now called
Military Farms. It supplies milk packs for the entire Pakistan Army. Renala State Military Farms
milk factory is located in Sathghara.
Renala Hydral Power Station
Renala Hydral Power Station is one of the most popular Hydral stations of Pakistan and it is
situated on Canal Loar-Bari-Doo-Aab. Sir Ganga Ram (1851–1927), a civil engineer and leading
philanthropist of his time, established Renala Hydral Power Station in 1925. In 1873, after a brief
Service in Punjab P.W.D, he devoted himself to practical farming. He obtained on lease from the
government 50,000 acres (200 km2) of barren, unirrigated land in Montgomery District, and
within three years converted that vast desert into smiling fields, irrigated by water lifted by a
hydroelectric plant and running through a thousand miles of irrigation channels, all constructed
at his own cost. This was the biggest private enterprise of the kind, unknown and unsought of in
the country before. Sir Ganga Ram earned millions, most of which he gave to charity. In the

5. words of Sir Malcolm Hailey, the Governor of Punjab at the time, "he won like a hero and gave
like a Saint".
University Of Education Lahore, Okara Campus
University of education Okara campus, is now changed into university of Okara, it is situated in
Renala Khurd 1 km away from the city towards West was inaugurated by the Ex-prime Minister
of Pakistan Mr. Shoukat Aziz in 2005. Offering various programs in education aspect which is a
great opportunity for the poor people of district Okara.
Educational institutions
 Convent Girls High School
 Government Millat High School for Boys
 Government Model high School for Boys
 Government Higher Secondary School for Boys
 Government Degree College for Women
 Government Degree College for Boys
The demographic details of the district are as:
Tehsil
Area
(sq.km.)
Population 1998
Population
1981
1981-
98
Avg.
annual
growth
rates
(%)
Both
sexes
Male Female
Sex
ratio
Population
density/sq.
km.
Urban
proportion
Avg.
HH
size
Okara
District
4,377 2,232,992 1,167,481 1,065,511 109.6 510.2 23.0 6.5 1,487,261 2.42
Dipalpur 2,502 1,030,836 536,516 494,320 108.5 412.0 20.3 6.2 668,673 2.58
Okara 1,241 862,364 456,281 406,083 112.4 694.9 31.6 6.8 578,263 2.38
Renala
Khurd
634 339,792 174,684 165,108 105.8 535.9 9.5 7.0 240,325 2.06
Source: District Census Report 1998,Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of
Pakistan, Islamabad.

6. CO Unit
Population 1998
Population
1981
1981-98 Avg.
annual growth
rates (%)
Avg. HH
size
Both sexes Male Female
Renala
Khurd
32,337 16,616 15,721 18,287 3.41 7.1
Source: District Census Report 1998,Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of
Pakistan, Islamabad.

7. #Y
LBD
Canal
LBD
Canal
BYPASSROAD
UNDERPASS
KATCHEHRYROAD
SHER
GARH
RO
AD
RENALACHUCHAKROAD
SATGHARA ROAD
TO LAHORE
RAILWAY ROAD
TO MULTAN
BY PASS ROAD
20/1 RB
20/2 -L
ALI TOWN
RAI TO WN
ALVI TOWN
RIAZ TOW N
AZAM TOW N
ZAMAN TOW N
JALIL TOWN
CANAL V IEW
USM AN TOWN
ALEEM TO WN
AFZAL TOW N
RAHEE M TOW N
HAM EED TOW N
SAJJ AD TO WN
ROBINA TOW N
TAY YEB TOWN
WALI COLONY
MAS OOD TOW N
MUSLIM TOW N
REHM AN TO WN
MADINA TOW N
LARASIB TO WN
RAS HE ED TOW N
GHAREE B ABAD
CANAL COLONY
SHAUKAT ABAD
KOOCHA KAM AL
KOOCHA BILAL
KOOCHA FAROOQ
HOUSING S CHEM E
BAS TI RAO SAHIB
BAS TI PETRO L PUM P
CHAUDHARY
M OHALLA
BAS TI BABA LAL SHAH
GULSHAN-E-ANW AR TOWN
GULSHAN-E-ISHAQ
TOWN
ANW AR SHAHEED
COLONY
GULZAR-E -M US TAFA
TOW N
TMA
Railway
Station
Kalma
Chowk
N
EW
S
Chowk#Y
Railw ay Line
Road Boundary
Canal
Minor
LEGEND
200 0 200 400 Meters
GROWTH DIRECTION MAP
RENALA KHURD
1 Crore/Acre
2 Crore/Acre
2 Crore/Acre
1.5 Crore/Acre
1 Crore/Acre
Minor
#Y
LBD
Canal
LBD
Canal
BYPASSROAD
UNDERPASS
KATCHEHRYROAD
SH
E
R
G
A
R
H
R
O
AD
RENALACHUCHAKROAD
SATGHARAROAD
TO LAHORE
RAILWAYROAD
TO MULTAN
BY PASS ROAD
TMA
Railway
Station
Kalma
Chowk
GULZAR-E-MUSTAFA
TOW N
ANWAR SHAHEED
COLONY
GULSHAN-E-ISHAQ
TOWN
GULSHAN-E-ANW AR TOWN
BASTI BABA
LAL
SHAH
CHAUDHARY
MOHALLA
BASTI PETRO L PUMP
BASTI RAO SAHIB
HOUSING SCHEME
KOOCHA FAROOQ
KOOCHA BILAL
KOOCHA KAMAL
SHAUKAT ABAD
CANAL COLONY
GHAREEB ABAD
RASHEED TOWN
LARASIB TO WN
MADINA TOW N
REHMAN TO WN
MUSLIM TOWN
MASOOD TOWN
WALI COLONY
TAYYEB TOWN
ROBINA TOW N
SAJJAD TO WN
HAMEED TOW N
RAHEEM TOWN
AFZAL TOWN
ALEEM TO WN
USMAN TOWN
CANAL VIEW
JALIL TOWN
ZAMAN TOW N
AZAM TOWN
RIAZ TOWN
ALVI TOWN
RAI TO WN
ALI TOWN
20/2-L
20/1RB
N
EW
S
200 0 200 400 Meters
Chowk#Y
Railway Line
Commercial
Institutions
Park/Playground
Edu. Institute
Hospital
Industry
Graveyard
Katchi Bastis
Road Boundary
Canal
Minor
Residential
LEGEND
LANDUSE MAP
RENALA KHURD
Minor
Source: Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Project (PMSIP) Planning Report Renala Khurd (2008)

8. Source: Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Project (PMSIP) Planning Report Renala Khurd (2008)

9. THE PUNJAB LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2013
(Act XVIII of 2013)
(MUNICIPAL COMMITTEES)
Municipal Committees.
 A Municipal Committee shall each be a body corporate having perpetual succession and
a common seal, with power to acquire and hold property and enter into any contract and
may sue and be sued in its name.
A Municipal Committee shall
i) Prepare spatial plans for the local government including plans for land use and zoning
ii) Approve spatial plans after due process of dissemination and public enquiry,
incorporating modifications on the basis of such inquiry;
iii) Execute and manage development plans;
iv) exercise control over land-use, land-subdivision, land development and zoning by
public and private sectors for any purpose, including for agriculture, industry,
commerce markets, shopping and other employment centers, residential, recreation,
parks, entertainment, passenger and transport freight and transit stations;
v) Provide, improve and maintain public open spaces, graveyards, public gardens and
playgrounds;
vi) Enforce all municipal laws, rules and bye-laws regulating its functioning:
vii) Regulate affixing of sign-boards and advertisements except where this function is
being performed by the Park and Horticulture Authority;
viii) Provide, manage, operate, maintain and improve the municipal infrastructure and
services, including–
 Water supply and control and development of water sources;
 Sewage and sewage treatment and disposal;
 Storm water drainage;
 Sanitation and solid waste collection and sanitary disposal of solid, liquid, industrial and
hospital wastes;
 Roads and streets;
 Traffic planning, engineering and management including traffic signaling systems, signs
on roads, street markings, parking places, transport stations, stops, stands and terminals;
 Street lighting;
 Firefighting;
 Parks, playgrounds, open spaces and arboriculture;
 Slaughter houses;
 Establish cattle pounds;
 Prevent and remove encroachments;

10.  Prepare budget, revised budget and annual and long term municipal development
programs;
 Maintain a comprehensive data base and information system and provide public access to
it on nominal charges;
 Approve taxes and fees;
 Regulate dangerous and offensive articles and trades mentioned in Second Schedule;
 Collect approved taxes, fees, rates, rents, tolls, charges, fines and penalties;
 Organize sports, cultural, recreational events, fairs and shows;
 Organize cattle fairs and cattle markets and regulate sale of animals;
 Regulate markets and services and issue licenses, permits, grant permissions and impose
penalties for violation thereof as and where applicable;
 Manage properties, assets and funds vested in the local government;
 Develop and manage schemes, including site development;
 Authorize an officer or officers to issue notice to a person committing any municipal
offence and initiate legal proceedings for continuance of commission of such offence or
for failure to comply with the directions contained in such notice;
 Prosecute, sue and follow up criminal, civil and recovery proceedings against violators of
municipal laws in the courts of competent jurisdiction;
 Nominate members of Musalihat Anjuman for a ward and monitor the performance of
Musalihat Anjuman in the prescribed manner;
 arrange registration of births, deaths, marriages and divorces and pass on such
information about births, deaths, marriages and divorces in its territorial jurisdiction to
such persons and institutions as may be prescribed;
 Maintain municipal records and archives;
 Establish and maintain libraries and reading rooms;
1) Conserve historical and cultural assets;
2) Assist in the provision of relief in the event of any fire, flood, hailstorm, earthquake,
epidemic or other natural calamity and assist relevant authorities in relief activities;
3) Prepare financial statements and present them for internal and external audit in the prescribed
manner; and
4) Undertake the functions assigned to a Union Council under this Act.
5) The Municipal Committee may assign or outsource any of its functions in such manner and
on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.
Structure
1) The Chairman of a Municipal Committee shall be the executive head of the Municipal
Committee and the Vice Chairman shall perform the functions of the Chairman if the
Chairman is unable to perform his functions on account of absence or for any other reason.
2) The Chief Officer shall coordinate and facilitate the performance of functions assigned to the
Municipal Committee under the supervision of the Chairman.

11. Chairman
The Chairman shall…..
1) Provide vision for development, leadership and direction for efficient functioning of the
Municipal Committee;
2) Identify the needs of the local area and evaluate and prioritize them in the light of integrated
development plans and the estimates of revenue and expenditure, in addition to any
applicable national and provincial policies, programs and projects;
3) Recommend to the local government, the strategies, programmes and services to address
prioritized needs;
4) Recommend or determine the best way to implement those strategies, programmes and
services through partnerships, delegations, contracts and other means for the maximum
benefit of the community;
5) Maintain administrative and financial discipline of the local government;
6) Present tax proposals to the local government;
7) Issue executive orders to the municipal offices for discharge of the functions;
8) Represent the local government on public and ceremonial occasions;
9) Present proposal to the local government for approval of budget and the revised budget; and
10) Conduct inspections of municipal offices functioning under the local government.
The Chairman shall, in the performance of duties….
1) Identify and develop criteria in terms of which progress in the implementation of the
strategies, programmed and services can be evaluated, including key performance indicators;
2) Evaluate progress against the key performance indicators;
3) Review the performance of the local government in order to improve
i. Economy, efficiency and effectiveness;
ii. Efficiency of revenue collection services; and
iii. Implementation of the bye-laws;
A. Oversee formulation and execution of the annual development plan, delivery of services and
functioning of the local government;
B. Present report on the performance of the local government to the house of the local
government at least twice a year; and
C. Perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as may be prescribed or as the
local government may delegate.

12. Chief Officer
A Chief Officer shall be responsible for….
A. Coordination;
B. Human resource management;
C. Public relations
D. Legal affairs
E. Emergency services
The Chief Officer, in carrying out his functions, shall….
1. Supervise and coordinate all municipal offices responsible for the provision of municipal
services;
2. Prepare a report on the planning and implementation of development plans of the local
government for presentation to the house of the local government in its annual budget
session;
3. Ensure that the business of the local government is carried out in accordance with the
law;
4. Ensure implementation of environmental and social safeguards;
5. Effect procurements, as prescribed, in accordance with law; and
6. Take action against violators of this Act, rules or bye-laws.
Municipal offices
The Government may, in the prescribed manner, issue a schedule of establishment for a
Municipal Committee and such schedule may include planning, finance, municipal regulation
and municipal infrastructure offices.
(http://www.punjabcode.punjab.gov.pk/, 2013, pp. 35-38)

14. Other Candidates Name List: (www.Ecp./ Okara/ List)

15. List of Urban & Rural Union Councils
Sr.
No
Union Council
Number
Name of Union Council Population
1 30 Mopalkay 17183
2 31 Bazeeda 19200
3 32 Chak No 4 G/D 18117
4 33 Kamman 22300
5 34 Chak No 7/1-R 20857
6 35 Chak No 5/1-RA 18942
7. 36 Chak No 23/2-L 18113
8. 37 Chak No 11/1L 15911
9 38 Chak No 13/1L 16996
10 39 Chak No 18/1L 20974
11 40 Chak No 6/1L 18311
12 41 Chak No 33/1-AL 19015
13 42 Chak No 22/1AL 17021
14 43 Chak No 4/1-AL 18855
15 44 Akhtarabad 23453
16 45 Chak No 14/1-AL 22207
17 101 Renala –I 16312
18 102 Renala –II 16025
Population detail as per ACR 1998

16. Municipal Committee Renala Khurd Basic Survey Report
Number of Wards: (12)
Total votes of Wards: (30,000)
Female Votes of Wards: (16,000)
Male Votes of Wards: (14,000)
Total Casted Votes are: (12,000)
Non-Casted Votes are: (18,000)
Seats for Women Reserved: (03)
Seats for Minority: (01)
Seats for Youth: (01)
Seats for Labor / Worker: (01)
 Total members of 12 Wards and 6 other members are given seats by government.
 Total 12 members elect the other 6 members.
 Total 13 members cast their vote and elect Chairman and Vice Chairman.
 Total Number of Chairman & Vice Chairman in Renala Khurd Municipal Committee are
(1)-(1), Councilor are (08) and (1) Chief Officer.
Basically Renala Khurd was a Tehsil with Number of 27 seats, but now it is separated and the
city Municipal committee system is introduced according to Punjab Local Government Act
2013. In village Union Council system is introduced. The chairman of Union Council will cast
its vote to District Council. Renal Khurd was a Buldia; now its structure is changed and known
as Municipal Committee according to Punjab Local Government Act 2013. Tehsil system is
abolished in Renala Khurd and now it has 18 Union Councils and its members are known as
Chairman. In Urban Areas 2 Union Council was Abolished and it is formed into Municipals
Committee. In Rural Areas there are 18 Union Councils which is known as Tehsil Council and
there are also 160 District Council in Renala Khurd.

17. Elections 2015 MunicipalCommittee Renala Khurd Wards Result
Detail and complete information about Local Bodies Punjab election 2015 of Municipal
Committee Renala Khurd and full candidates list. Local government election held in District
Okara Tehsil Renala Khurd in phase 1 on October 31, 2015. Result of all General councilor of all
Wards Municipal Committee City Renala Khurd District Okara. Municipal Committee Renala
Khurd city have 12 wards .Detail Result of Local bodies election, the complete election result
with votes detail of all candidates Municipal Committee Renala Khurd Wards.
Election 2015 Municipal Committee Renala Khurd Wards & Candidates Name List:
Ward No Councilor Party / Group / Votes
Ward No. 1 Muhammad Asif Moon Bhatti PML-N 417
Ward No. 2 Tariq Saif PTI 389
Ward No. 3 Malik Tariq Javid (Winner)
Awam Dost 1280/3384
Ward Number (03)
Ward No. 4 Muhammad Ashraf Chishti Awam Dost
Ward No. 5 Malik Zafar Iqbal Awam Dost
Ward No. 6 Chaudhary Muhammad Sadiq PML-N
Ward No. 7 Kazim Ishaq PML-N
Ward No. 8 Mehar Iftikhar Bhola PML-N
Ward No. 9 Malik Boota Awam Dost

18. Ward No. 10 Malik Qasim Ameer (Winner)
Awam Dost 1222/3100
Ward Number (10)
Ward No. 11 Mian Naeem Bashir Kamyana Awam Dost
Ward No. 12 Rana Muhammad Ishfaq Awam Dost
Independent Members: (7) they have Joined PPPP now.
P.T.I Members: (1)
PMNL-N Members: (4)
Ward Number (03) Renala Khurd Total Votes are: (3384)
Casted Vote of Ward Number (03) is: (1271)
Other Winner Detail is given below:
Women Reserved:
 Shazia Akhter (8) votes
 Zahida Anjum (8) votes
Labor:
 Khurram Shahzad (9) votes
Youth:
 Ammir Shahzad (8) votes
Minority:
 Ashraf Bhatti (8)
Note:
These all are elected by 12 members of total Wards. After selection of Chairman and Vice
Chairman, they are answerable before District Coordinator Officer.
According to Devolution plan World Bank gave the fund to Nazims and Naib Nazims but now
according to Punjab Local Government Act 2013 the fund will give to Chairman and Vice
Chairman by the Punjab Government.

19. Over All Election Result 2015:
Total Turn Over: Up to 40%
The Winner is Malik Tariq Javied as a chairman of Renala Khurd Municipal Committee on 22
December 2016, with 13 Votes out of 18. The Vice Chairman is M. Asharf Chisti with 13/18
Votes.
Both the Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected by Women, Youth, Labor, and by Minority
Representative.
They have taken the Oath 0n 31 December 2016 and joined the office on 3 January 2017 and
take the charge of the Renal Municipal Committee.

20. PUNJAB LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2013
(A CRITICAL ANALYSIS)
Perspectives on Local Government in Pakistan:
A democratic system, removed from its citizens and oblivious of their vital goods and services,
rarely serves its’ purpose in letter and spirits. Therefore the local government is believed to be
the bed rock of a democratic polity that sincerely takes care of its’ citizens, men and women,
young and old, able and infirm, prosperous or under-bread as its’ fundamental responsibility.
Inevitable for social development, vital for citizens’ day to day life, yet this tier of governance
suffered from centralized control or outright abeyance in Pakistan since its inception. Political
ambivalence and financial constricts marked its inefficiency and maneuverability, whatever
regime it was put in place in and in whatever form. Stamped by nomenclature like Basic
Democracies in 1960s, Municipalities or Local Bodies in 1980s and Local Governments in
2000s, the system was mainly exploited by all military and authoritarian regimes to serve their
ulterior motives. Derogating political parties, undermining democratic processes, engineering
new constituencies, manufacturing consent and constituting legitimacy remained central to the
local bodies installed during non-democratic and extra-constitutional regimes. In most cases, the
flesh and blood of the dictators-led local governance was put-up on the carcasses of the colonial
apparatuses, by and large, serving the similar purposes with self-serving ends.
Injected by massive sums of foreign capital in the name of fiscal, institutional and technical
support, ‘Devolution Plan 2002’ was an outcome of Local Government Ordinance 2001. Though
much better and far more representative and devolved in terms of fiscal and administrative
authorities and services, the system, devoid of constitutional cover, also failed to sustain once the
military government was thrown out of power. Dissolving Magistracy and boiling down the
offices of the Deputy Commissioner into District Coordination Office (DCO) and Superintendent
Police into the District Police Officer (DPO) and putting up several Executive and Deputy
District Officers (EDOs and DDOs) in various sectors like education, health, revenues and others
number of functions were made subservient to the District Heads i.e. Nazims and Naib Nazims
(literally man’s Administrator and Deputy Administrator). Modern in outlook and organization,
even this relatively better system could not work for due to lack of sincerity, illegitimacy of the
regime and piece meal pattern of implementation. District bureaucracy also made tooth and nail
effort to make the plan fail and has perhaps a role in its failure. Non-cooperation and non-
participation in all boards and committees, their planning and development initiatives, possessive
attitude and sitting on files approaching their tables, were the chief tactics and mischief of the
colonial replica. A mismatch between the centralized authoritarian government operative at the
center and decentralized governance at the district level, also impinged negatively on the
substance and efficiency of the Local Government Plan 2002.

21. Knowledgeable of the fact that military government has frequently exploited this vital tier of
governance, the significance and necessity of local government cannot be denied. Compelled by
public desires and realizing its inevitability, political governments always had had an urge to
amend and adapt a local government system but it is only in the recent times that the idea is
somehow being forged to an acceptable form. It is now internationally recognized that, denying
local government tantamount to the denial of basic human rights to the citizens.
Article-37 of the Constitution of Pakistan (COP) pledges to “decentralize the government
administration to expeditiously dispose its business for public convenience and requirements’
and Article-32 of the Constitution dictates the state to “encourage local government institutions
composed of elected representatives of the area concerned having special representation of
peasants, workers and women” as the principle of policy. Contrary to the centrist practices, it is
also a demanded from the “provincial governments to decentralize its administration under
article 10-A,” of the Constitution.
Further on Article 140-A of the Constitution, as amended and incorporated in LG Ordinance
2001, makes it obligatory to the provincial governments stating that “each province shall, by law,
establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial
responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments”. Similarly,
Article-10 of the repeatedly referred Charter of Democracy (COD) agreed and signed between
the two leading political parties also emphasized its political modality in the following words:
“Local bodies’ elections will be held on a party basis. And constitutional protection will be given
to the local bodies to make them autonomous and answerable to their respective assemblies as
well as to the people through regular courts of law.” One of the most promising constitutional
provisions i.e. 18th Constitutional Amendment (2010), authorizes provinces to legislate and
come up with a system of Local Government suitable to their local conditions. Part of the
compulsion was re-emphasized in April 2012 by the Supreme Court of Pakistan commanding
provinces to hold local elections, as enshrined and authorized by the said amendment and the
Constitution of the country. Earlier this year the Supreme Court of Pakistan advised the
incumbent government, time and again, to legislate and come up with a local system of
governance in each province.
Towards the Punjab Local Government Act 2013
The purpose of constituting LGs is “to establish an elected local government system to devolve
political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives
of the local governments; to promote good governance, effective delivery of services and
transparent decision making through institutionalized participation of the people at local level;
and, to deal with ancillary matters”
(Preamble – PLGA 2013)

22. The PLGA 2013 was adopted not only in the absence of the opposition parties rather defeating
almost all the proposals of the entire opposition. One can say at the outset that the manner in
which the Bill was framed and now approved is a disservice to the very spirits of democracy by
the democratically elected parliamentarians. Instead of welcoming debate and criticism, to draw
a broad-based consensus, the ruling political party in the province rushed to unilaterally approve
the bill. Under the situation, it is highly unlikely that any lawmaking under the said Act will play
on smoothly or benefit the very people for whom this entire exercise of local government
legislation and they would be elections shall be carried out. Provisions such as holding elections
on non-party basis, placing district health and education authorities under provincial control and
bestowing excessive powers to the provincial government to suspend local mayors and chairmen
are designed to hold on to the levers of power and do not let go any policy or implicative powers.
A four year term of Local Governments has been fixed and respective provincial government is
authorized to periodically audit its income and expenses After the local government elections in
near future, Metropolitan Corporation and Municipal Corporation will succeed the rights,
liabilities and assets of City District Government (CDG), Town and Tehsils set up under LG
Ordinance 2001 and likewise Union Councils (UCs) will succeed the rights, liabilities and assets
of Union Administration. The titles of District and Tehsil Nazims and Naib Nazims will stand
obsolete and be replaced by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor while Union Nazims and Naib
Nazims by Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen.
In the arena of Municipality and Corporation, the entry requirements, salary structure and other
incentives, though the Act declares it to be brought under civil services, are usually too poor too
unattractive to draw efficient employees. At present, their comprehension of development
planning, policy issues, management and capacity for service delivery and other requisite skills
are seldom admired. Eventually district management, conventionally known as DMG group,
reigns supreme over the local services cadre. Ironically, the Act seems is going to strengthen it
further at the cost of the powers of elected representatives.
The Government may, although, emphasizes the subject Act, “set up institutions or make other
arrangements as may be necessary for pre-service and in-service training of the functionaries of
the local councils…and other interested agencies; the training of members and chairmen of local
councils; organize conferences and seminars on Local Government and related subjects; and
undertake research in local government and allied subjects independently or in collaboration with
the universities or research institutions”. But hardly any resources are either indicated or readily
vested at the hands of Local Government to materialize opportunity. Obviously, the chances of a-
prior or on job improvement sound bleak.

23. Political and Electoral Processes: Issues and Concerns:
Lack of political will:
When and how local government elections will be held is yet not clear. Extrapolating from
certain statements, media reports assume the elections to be held sometimes in December this
year or January next year. But one thing is now clearer, that the Punjab Government is going to
hold LG elections on non-party basis. Proposals vehemently extended by opposition parties -
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold elections on party
basis, were turned down. So much so the opposition parties quit the assembly session as a token
of protest but the Bill went through, anyway. Interestingly enough, 13 amendment proposals
extended by a group of treasury benches were also defeated. By and large Civil Society of the
province also thinks that LG elections be held on party basis to further the democratic process
and enabling citizen to make informed choices. The element of party based-elections was part of
the draft Bill 2012 but the clause was removed later. Now high court decision has revived the
party based local government election once again.
Centralized systemof local governance:
Save, affixing a few things here and there that we shall further go into details hereunder, over all
structure and substance of the PLG Act 2013 has been promulgated upon the template of 1979
Local Bodies Ordinance a highly centralized system of local governance which hardly moves
beyond a certain degree of de-concentration or delegation at max.
Political Parties (mainly sitting on the opposition benches) strongly believe that the new set up
does not empower, the elected representatives at the local level. They claim that, “financial and
administrative powers of the local government rest with the Punjab government whereas the
functions of local mayors or chairmen will be restricted to removal of encroachment,
construction of streets and mullahs and controlling sanitary workers” PPP, Jamat-e-Islami and
PTI even challenged the law in the Act in the court of law. Arguing, how the new law violates
Article 62, 63, the petitioner’s 1st lawyer said that, “the new law also ignored the provisions of
Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, which detail the qualification and disqualification criteria
for members of parliament. He said that this was a violation of fundamental rights and
democratic norms and asked the court to declare the law to be unconstitutional”. He further said,
“it (the law) contained several questionable provisions (including) reducing the number of
women representatives, allowing non-elected government employees control of financial
matters, giving the chief minister powers to interfere in local governments, and conducting party-
less elections”
Criticizing the law, opposition politicians argue that all the powers of removing local
representatives’ rest at the hands of the chief minister. The power by some of the critics in
opposition benches are being termed as the like of 58(2)B, where the president had an authority
to dismiss the elected prime ministerial .Even the appointment of health and education

24. authorities is vests with the provincial chief. Contrary to the provision of the Cop (Article 18)
Election Commission is responsible to hold elections but the law seems delegating that powers to
the provincial government.
Presenting its report the Special Committee on Local Government presented the key features of
they would be Local Government as under. “The delimitations of Union Councils could be done
wherever it seemed necessary. The local government’s union council to comprise of a directly
elected chairman, vice-chairman, six general members, two female members on reserve seats and
one peasant member in the rural union council or one worker member in urban union council on
a reserve seat. One youth member and one non-Muslim member on reserved seat where at least
200 non-Muslim voters were registered were also suggested. The ‘district council’ would consist
of all the chairmen of the union councils and shall additionally include indirectly elected
individuals (on reserve seats) by the chairman and the members of the rural union councils
present and voting. 15 female members, one technocrat, a youth member and five non-Muslim
members would also be included in the council. Metropolitan Corporations shall consist of all
the chairmen of union councils in the district and shall include indirectly elected (on reserve
seats) by the chairman and the members of the rural union councils present and by voting. 25
females, five workers, three technocrat, two youngsters and 10 non-Muslim members would also
be included. Municipal Corporations would consist of all the chairmen of union councils in the
area and shall include indirectly elected (on reserve seats) by the chairman and the members of
the rural union councils present and by voting. Two worker members, two technocrat members,
one youth member and five non-Muslim members would also be included.
The clause mandatory under Article 33, that “every member, within thirty days of the first
meeting of the Local Council held after his election shall be notified to file a declaration of his
assets and liabilities before such and such authority and in such and such form and manner as
may be prescribed,” sounds great but clear mechanism for check and balance is not laid down.
Under what powers and how the Election Commission will make it a binding remains
questionable. How will the people of the area, a voter or a citizen be able to petition for the
declaration of assets or a misconduct or report overspending is also not delineated. Citizens’
disempowerment, inaccessibility to the information and inability to hold a public representative
accountable is as difficult as it is in other tiers of governance. Holding inquiry about the
‘misconduct’ including bribery, corruption and misappropriation or willful diversion of funds of
the local council or any attempt of misappropriation is almost impossible without setting forth a
systematic institutional mechanism, particularly for the citizens and or affected. The cases of
inquiry risk becoming more a political controversy than of misappropriating funds. It asks for a
clear and transparent judicial system to put in place at the local level.

25. Representation Issues of Religious Minorities, Peasants, Workers and Women:
Chapter IV with clauses 13 sub (c) of the categorically states, “one non-Muslim member where
there are five hundred non-Muslim voters or more registered in the Union Council and clause 14
sub (c) “such non-Muslim members, not exceeding five, as the Government may notify on the
basis of population of the non-Muslims in the District Council.”, While taking care of bare
minimum, provision for some representation of minorities and marginalized groups seems
encouraging and affirmative at least to its face value. However, certain inadequacies still appear
to be considered further.
For instance the clause 14
(1) states that the “provided the representatives of peasants, workers technocrats, youth and
women shall be elected by the directly elected general members of the respective local council in
the prescribed manner,” which does not sit comfortably with the democratic process. The
requirement of directly elected Councilors electing special representatives might promote
favoritism or discrimination. Being mindful of the problems and concerns faced by minorities in
every sphere of life, their effective representation and inclusiveness demand further care and
consciousness at each step and all areas of concern.
A parallel could be drawn with 8th amendment that obliterated the word ‘freely’ in the Objective
Resolution to intentionally marginalize the minorities. In addition, there are certain clauses of
religious offense that readily exclude religious minorities or minorities groups from participating
in elections. Under the circumstances, it is quite common to bring false charges against a
minority person, which will suffice to disenfranchise an already marginalized group (Peter
Jackob 2012)
(2) Even one’s religious identity or their theological beliefs could stand objectionable for the
larger community. Pluralism and inclusiveness needs more proactive actions than reservation of
seats alone. It is the right of equal citizenry and respect in each area of local governance.
Beyond the reference of 5% minority representation, other provisions rarely refer to the
promotion of their culture, festivals, religious ceremonies, language, if any, and crematory,
funeral and other needs and functions. Though it assumes and does not specify of providing such
services to majority alone but categorical reference to their specific needs is missing, which I
personally think is important given the present state of discrimination and other institutions
generally being oblivious to the religion, culture, traditions and values of religious minorities.
Contrary to the Article 32 and Article 140-A, women’s seats have been reduced to 2 out of 13
i.e. 15% roughly that is drastic reduction from 33% provision in the previous set up of the local
governance. In certain districts, it will fall to the 10% of the total membership of the district. The
total reserved seats, however, do approach to half the elected representatives.

26. National Commission on the Status of Women offered an elaborate analysis and policy
recommendations against Devolution Plan 2001. The report incorporates women’s representation
and empowerments challenges faced in 2005. Part of its observations is still valid with respect to
the proposed Act. On reserved seats women should need to be elected directly, based on the
constituencies and the seats are filled through joint electorate. Women’s 33% representations
should be ensured in all monitoring committees. Women’s presence in Council’s meeting needs
to ensure through legislative measures. Gender mainstreaming, missing in the said act, needs to
be adopted as an official strategy. Gender budgeting and gender audit should be incorporated as a
legislative requirement at the local level. A certain percentage of women-specific projects be
made mandatory.
Gender discriminatory practices like not to provide them budget, narrowing down women’s
space to speak during the sessions, not to provide them seating in office, holding Council’s
meetings without informing women, keeping them away from development planning and
budgeting and not to have separate toilets for them need to be legislatively discouraged. And
lastly, the results of constituencies where women were barred to participate in LG elections need
to be declared null and void. The proposed bill must elaborate things on women’s participation.
(Nazeer, September 2013, pp. 10-18)

27. Bibliography
http://www.punjabcode.punjab.gov.pk/. (2013, August 23). Punjab Local Government Act 2013
Lahore.http://www.punjabcode.punjab.gov.pk/
Nazeer, A. (September 2013). Punjab Local Government Act 2013 .A Critical Analysis,
Islamabad, Rural Development Policy Insititute (RDPI).
http://www.wikipedia.com