The final schedule for local government elections in Punjab remains undecided, although the provincial government has completed the paperwork required for the electoral process and approved the names of 6,637 union councils.  Sources said the provincial cabinet has approved a summary submitted by the Local Government Department regarding the names of the union councils. However, the provincial government has expressed reservations about holding the elections according to the schedule proposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). 

The provincial minister for local government said the government could not conduct the polls under the commission's proposed timetable. He added that a ministerial committee from Punjab would appear before the ECP on October 28 to discuss the matter. The minister said the provincial government had proposed three possible dates for the elections under the Punjab Local Government Act 2025: April 4, April 11 and April 18.

He explained that November and December were smog-prone months, making it difficult to organise local government elections during that period.  The minister further said the final dates would be determined after consultations with the Election Commission.  According to the provincial minister, the government has planned to hold the local government elections after Ramadan, with further decisions expected following discussions with the ECP. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)