The Lahore High Court (LHC) has postponed the hearing on a series of petitions challenging the newly enacted Local Government Act 2025. The court has directed all involved parties to prepare more detailed arguments before the next session.
Court Proceedings and Key Arguments
The hearing, presided over by Justice Sultan Tanveer on Wednesday, saw petitions from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami, and other groups. The core of their challenge is that several clauses within the 2025 Act are unconstitutional, and they have requested the court to strike down the law entirely.
Representing the provincial government, Assistant Advocate General Barrister Saad Ghazi presented the official stance. He argued before the court that the Act does not prevent candidates from running in elections under a political party's banner, countering one of the petitioners' concerns.
Judicial Observations on Institutional Harmony
During the proceedings, Justice Sultan Tanveer made significant remarks about the state of national institutions. He emphasized that the assembly floor is a crucial platform and should not be utilized to attack other state bodies.
"We will respect you, you respect us," Justice Tanveer stated, adding that Pakistan's progress depends on mutual respect among its institutions. He declared that the era for such discord has passed and that all pillars of the state must operate with a spirit of cooperation for the country to advance.
Constitutional Framework and Future Timeline
The bench clearly stated that the power to legislate rests solely with parliament. It assured all parties that the case would be adjudicated strictly within the bounds of the Constitution. The court also expressed its intention to resolve this legal dispute before the impending local government elections are held.
Following the initial arguments from the petitioners' lawyers and the reply from the Advocate General's office, the LHC instructed the petitioners' counsel to refine and expand their legal arguments. The hearing was then adjourned to a future date, yet to be announced.
