LAHORE: The Punjab Local Government Commission stands dysfunctional since May 31, forcing the local government department to request the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take action against heads and members of local councils for supporting political parties or candidates despite instructions to the contrary.

According to the Punjab Local Government Act 2013, the commission has the exclusive authority to proceed against the members and heads of local councils for its violation, and misconduct.

It was headed by the local government minister, having two MPAs nominated by the treasury, one MPA from the opposition and two technical members.

The officials on Sunday said the minister and MPAs ceased to be the members of the commission after the provincial assembly completed its term on May 31. The technical members too were appointed by the previous PML-N government of Mian Shahbaz Sharif, rendering the commission dysfunctional at the moment. They said initially the caretaker government intended to remove these technical members, Chaudhry Kashif stated to be the nephew of Chaudhry Nisar and Fauzia Waqar but it refrained from doing so due to certain reasons. One of the reasons was that the commission would legally become fully functional after having members from the next elected assembly. Therefore, it should also be left for the next government to continue with these members or find their alternatives.

The officials added that the heads and members of local councils, including mayors, deputy mayors, chairmen and vice-chairmen of district councils, were directed last week not to directly or indirectly support any political party or candidate to the national or Punjab assemblies; otherwise, stern action would be taken against them.

An inquiry was initiated against the Mandi Bahauddin district council chairman for allegedly supporting a PML-N candidate to the National Assembly seat from the city. If found guilty, his case would be sent to the ECP for action, an official said.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2018