LAHORE:A meeting of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Punjab’s Local Bodies Monitoring Committee was held at the Peoples Secretariat in Model Town, presided over by Convener Rana Farooq Saeed.
The meeting focused on a comprehensive strategy regarding preparations for the anticipated local government elections, the nomination of candidates, the monitoring system, and the formation of political alliances.
Attendees included Provincial Information Secretary Shahzad Saeed Cheema, Zafar Abbas Lak, Usman Malik, Haji Aziz-ur-Rehman Chan, Faisal Mir, Farooq Yousuf Ghurki, Jamil Kallas, Nadeem Asghar Kaira, and Rao Khalid, among other leaders.
Additionally, Ashar Hayat, Rai Shah Jahan Bhatti, Asif Bashir Bhagat, Shaukat Ali Abbasi, and Mian Khurram Rasool participated via Zoom.
During the meeting, directives were issued to activate the district presidents of all 31 organizational units in Central Punjab—comprising 26 districts and five major cities—on an urgent basis, and to identify and shortlist candidates at the Union Council level.
A deadline was also set for the submission of lists of local government candidates. Addressing the meeting, Convener Rana Farooq Saeed stated that elections at the Union Council level could serve as the foundation for success in the upcoming general elections; therefore, when selecting candidates, factors such as their influence within their respective constituencies, public outreach, and political reputation must be taken into account.
He emphasized that candidates should be finalized at the divisional level in consultation with the district presidents, and that organizational bodies should make decisions in coordination with the designated ticket holders.
He further added that the organizational structure would be completed down to the Union Council level, with divisional and district organizations being kept fully in the loop.
The monitoring committee will visit each division to review preparations for the local government elections. Rana Farooq Saeed clarified that while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) does not accept the current Local Government Act, the party will participate in the local government elections regardless.
Provincial Information Secretary Shahzad Saeed Cheema stated that the PPP’s Central Punjab monitoring committee will formulate the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the local government elections.
He added that office-bearers from the main wing, the Peoples Students Federation (PSF), the women’s wing, and other affiliated organizations should also be tasked with participating in these elections. He emphasized that the framework for participation must be devised with great seriousness, and that district organizations should launch membership drives in their respective areas.
Zafar Abbas Lak urged district presidents to personally visit the tehsil, city, and grassroots levels to identify strong candidates. Nadeem Asghar Kaira stressed the importance of bringing forward young candidates, noting that the youth represent the party’s future.
He also highlighted the need to enhance the capacity of district presidents and to ensure that ticket holders are kept engaged and aligned.
He asserted that the party must remain fully prepared, regardless of whether or not the local government elections actually take place. Shaukat Ali Abbasi reported that the process of selecting candidates for the local government elections has already begun in the Rawalpindi district, while Ashar Hayat Khan expressed confidence that the Rawalpindi division would deliver strong results. Inayat Ali Shah emphasized that loyal party workers should be given priority when selecting candidates.
Rao Khalid remarked that the primary challenge in Punjab—particularly in Lahore—lies in converting the PPP’s existing vote base into tangible electoral success.
According to him, given the current political landscape, the PPP is well-positioned to fill the political vacuum left by the Tehreek-e-Insaf. Farooq Yusuf Ghurki suggested that local government candidates should be finalized in consultation with the party’s ticket holders for the National and Provincial Assembly constituencies, while Rai Shah Jahan Bhatti proposed that candidates be selected with due consideration for changes in constituency delimitations.
Usman Malik recommended that the Secretary of Information devise a comprehensive strategy to expose the alleged mala fide intentions of the government.
He further proposed joining the petition filed in the Lahore High Court against the current Local Government Act, drafting Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the monitoring committee and district organizations, and publishing a white paper on the performance of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) during its 23-year tenure in Punjab.
Faisal Mir stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Lahore has begun distributing nomination papers at the Union Council level. The party intends to field panels of local government candidates and conduct election campaigns for them.
He noted that applications for the positions of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mayor, and Deputy Mayor across ten towns in Lahore have been invited until October 27.
He expressed the view that the PPP could secure the offices of Mayor and Deputy Mayor in towns where the party demonstrates strong organizational performance.
Jameel Kalas termed the current Local Government Act as being in violation of Article 148 of the Constitution and urged the PPP’s Lawyers’ Wing to challenge the legislation in court. Mian Khurram Rasool remarked that the existing Local Government Act has been framed solely to serve the interests of the PML-N.
He also proposed holding conventions for local government workers in all major districts of Punjab. Faisal Mir stated that, rather than harboring any illusions, the party should ensure full electoral preparedness and remain active at every level.
It was agreed during the meeting that the timely nomination of candidates for the local government elections, the strengthening of organizational ties, and effective monitoring at the district level would be ensured.
Reported By: Staff Reporter I Lahore
