The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday gave the Punjab administration till October 20 to reinstate the province’s local government system.

A two-member panel of the Supreme Court (SC) led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard the contempt petitions against the Punjab government for refusing to restore the LB system.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan questioned the AG at the start of the session why the court directives were not being followed.

AG Punjab Ahmed Owais told the bench, “A lot has been done to restore the LB system in Punjab, and more development is ongoing.”

We know how to operate; the way the matter is being handled would not serve the objective, said the CJP, who summoned Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Afzal and former CS Javed Rafique to appear in person on October 20.

CJP Gulzar Ahmed expressed his displeasure with Secretary LB Punjab Noorul Amin Mengal and said, “What type of secretary is he?” In the situation, where is his response?

Mengal responded by pleading with the court for additional time to file a response.

“Are you aware that criminal procedures are being pursued against you?” “You may be imprisoned,” CJP Justice Gulzar told Noorul Amin Mengal.

The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing till October 20 after giving the Punjab government 5 days to restore the LB system in the province.

It is important to mention that on May 25, the Supreme Court (SC) reinstated the local government system in Punjab by declaring the Local Bodies Act 2019 to be in violation of Pakistan’s Constitution.