By Our Correspondent
LAHORE, March 1: The Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDA) has called for the immediate holding of local government elections in Punjab and across the country, urging authorities to uphold constitutional provisions and strengthen grassroots democracy.
Read also: PML-N Punjab discusses by-elections and local body polls in organizational meeting
Addressing a press conference at the Lahore Press Club on Saturday, PDA Chairman Chaudhry Akhtar Abbas said that the delay in local body elections was a violation of democratic principles and contrary to the spirit of the 1973 Constitution. He stressed that empowered local governments were essential for ensuring public participation, transparency and effective service delivery.
The alliance maintained that local government institutions should be granted administrative and financial autonomy to function independently. It demanded direct elections of mayors and chairmen, along with the transfer of powers to the grassroots level so that public issues could be resolved promptly.
The PDA leadership said that the Constitution clearly mandates the establishment of elected local governments, and any unnecessary delay undermines democratic governance. The alliance urged the Election Commission and provincial authorities to announce a clear schedule for the polls without further postponement.
Highlighting socio-economic concerns, the alliance also raised issues related to workers’ rights. It called for strict implementation of the minimum wage law and demanded that all eligible workers be registered with the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and social security institutions. The PDA emphasized the need to safeguard labor rights and ensure social protection for workers across the country.
The alliance further underscored the importance of youth participation in the political process, stating that inclusive governance was key to national development. It reiterated that transparent, free and fair elections were necessary to restore public confidence in democratic institutions.
Concluding the press conference, Chaudhry Akhtar Abbas said the PDA would continue its struggle for constitutional supremacy, democratic continuity and empowerment of the people at the grassroots level.
