On May 06, 2026, the public forum titled “Local Government Elections in Punjab and Devolution of Power to the Grassroots Level” was organized in Nankana Sahib by WISE in collaboration with its partner organization Aawaz Niswaan Foundation. The forum brought together women activists, civil society representatives, political representatives, former councilors, and members of local governance networks.

Speakers noted that while local government systems are functioning in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the people of Punjab continue to be deprived of this fundamental democratic right. They demanded that the Government of Punjab immediately hold local government elections to ensure public participation in decision-making at the grassroots level.

The forum also emphasized that democracy cannot be complete without effective representation of women, minorities, and youth. Speakers expressed concern over the low representation of women in local bodies and stressed that it should be ensured at a minimum of 33 percent.

Highlighting local government as the foundation of democracy, participants underscored that the absence of elected local bodies in Punjab for the past six years constitutes a violation of Article 140A of the Constitution, depriving citizens of their basic democratic rights.

The forum concluded with a strong call that such dialogues are essential and timely to strengthen public voice and democratic governance.