Dr. Muzammil Iqbal Condemns Delay in Punjab Local Government Elections

LAHORE: Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) spokesperson Dr. Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi has rejected attempts to delay local government elections in Punjab, saying the provincial government must announce a final election schedule without further delay. He said political parties should be taken into confidence if the elections are to be held in phases. He added that the PMML was fully prepared to contest the local government elections.
Dr. Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi said the Punjab government was using delaying tactics to avoid holding local government elections. He said the PML-N government appeared reluctant to face the people because it lacked a genuine public mandate.
He said Punjab had already been given a weak local government system, while elections were now also being delayed. He expressed serious concern over the provincial government’s approach and said further delays would not be acceptable.
The PMML spokesperson said local governments were essential for resolving public issues. Basic civic problems could not be addressed effectively without elected local representatives. He stressed that local government institutions must be empowered and elections should be held without further delay.
He said the Election Commission had repeatedly called for progress on the election process, yet a final date had still not been announced. The government must clarify the reasons for the delay and ensure a transparent electoral process.
Dr. Hashmi said PMML was fully prepared for the local government elections. He warned that if the government made further attempts to delay the polls, the party would announce its future course of action.