Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique on Monday reviewed the ongoing process of demarcation of constituencies for local government elections during a meeting held at the Civil Secretariat.The meeting was attended by Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Arshad Baig, Director General Local Government Ahmed Kamal Maan and Additional Secretary Quratul Ain while all deputy commissioners joined via video link.The minister was informed that all assistant commissioners have been appointed as tehsil demarcation officers. Commissioners will hear appeals against demarcation decisions and are bound to decide them within four days.
Mr Rafique directed deputy commissioners to strictly follow the rules and complete the demarcation process within the stipulated timeline. He said that under the new Local Government Act, town corporations and tehsil councils would be formed for the first time.He explained that town corporations were being established in cities with a population exceeding 700,000 to address local issues more effectively and ensure timely completion of development schemes, as funds would be transferred directly to them. He said town corporations would be formed in Lahore, Bahawalpur, Multan, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Sargodha and Faisalabad. He said Murree was being granted the status of a municipal corporation despite its smaller population.
Mr Rafique directed deputy commissioners to propose names for municipal bodies after demarcation and ensure completion of the process within the given timeframe. He said that following demarcation, the Election Commission would carry out delimitation. He resigned that instructions from election commission of Pakistan will be followed in every stage.Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian said demarcation officers would also determine the boundaries of each municipal body and stressed that all matters must be handled in accordance with the rules approved by the provincial cabinet
