K-P Ties Local Polls to Punjab’s Schedule

Download IPFS

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has announced its intention to hold new Local Government (LG) elections rather than extending the tenure of current local bodies. The province plans to align its election schedule with Punjab, which has yet to conduct its local polls, aiming for a coordinated approach across provinces. This update was reported by The Express Tribune on August 11, 2025.

Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam stated that there is no proposal under consideration to extend the tenure of existing LG bodies in K-P. “K-P will hold LG elections if Punjab conducts its polls,” Alam said, emphasizing the provincial government’s desire to maintain consistency with national electoral timelines.

Local government elections in K-P were held in two phases: the first phase on December 19, 2021, followed by the formation of local governments by March 31, 2022; the second phase took place in June 2022 in the province’s hilly districts. Under the current schedule, the tenure of local bodies in the plains is set to end on March 31, 2026, while those in hilly districts will complete their term in June 2026.

The Local Council Association (LCA), representing elected local representatives, has expressed concerns regarding the insufficient development funds and limited authority granted to local bodies during their tenure. The LCA, led by Chairman Himayatullah Mayar, has urged the provincial government to consider extending the current LG bodies’ terms. Mayar emphasized that the constitutional clock for LG elections starts when representatives take their oath and warned that if elections are not held after the dissolution of local bodies, legal action may be pursued.

LCA Coordinator Intizar Khalil highlighted the challenges faced by local representatives, including lack of adequate resources and defined powers. The association is reportedly in discussions with K-P’s Chief Minister to explore possible tenure extensions. However, the provincial government remains committed to holding fresh elections tied to Punjab’s electoral schedule.

This decision reflects K-P’s efforts to uphold constitutional procedures and synchronize local governance elections with other provinces, promoting a cohesive framework for democratic processes at the local level.