LAHORE: The Punjab government has restored the local bodies in the province after withdrawing the notifications issued under Punjab Local Government Act 2019. In this connection, the Punjab Local Government and Community Development department issued a notification here on Monday under which all the powers given to the administrators have been withdrawn and will be transferred to the elective representatives.

The notifications stated that "pursuant to the Supreme Court's short order announced in March and detailed judgment announced in July, the notification issued on May 4, 2021, and the notifications relating to the constitution of local governments under Punjab Local Government Act 2019 (issued on November 7, 2019) are hereby withdrawn, with immediate effect, subject to the outcome of review petitions filed by the Punjab government, pending adjudication before the Court".

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, while chairing a meeting, accorded approval to restore local bodies in the province. Punjab Local Government Minister Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Advocate General Punjab, Punjab Local Government and Community Development Secretary attended the meeting.

While giving the green signal for the restoration, Chief Minister Buzdar directed the local government department to issue a notification for restoration of the local councils in Punjab. The meeting decided to remove administrators of the local councils in the province.

While addressing the meeting, the CM said that every step will be taken in accordance with the Constitution and the law and added that the government has decided to restore the local bodies institutions with consensus. It may be mentioned that in its March 25 verdict, the Supreme Court had directed the provincial government to restore the local government institutions.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021

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