IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN 
 
(Original Jurisdiction) 
 
PRESENT: 
MR. JUSTICE IFTIKHAR MUHAMMAD CHAUDHRY, C.J 
MR. JUSTICE IJAZ AHMED CHAUDHRY 
MR. JUSTICE GULZAR AHMED 
 
CIVIL MISC. APPLICATION NO. 3258 OF 2013 
(For extension of time) 
IN 
CONSTITUTION PETITION NO. 65 OF 2009 
 
Raja Rab Nawaz   
 
 
 
 
… 
PETITIONER 
Versus 
 
Federation of Pakistan through Secretary, Defence & others 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
….  
RESPONDENTS 
 
Petitioner 
 
: 
In person 
 
On Court notice : 
Mr. Muneer A. Malik  
 
 
 
 
Attorney General for Pakistan 
 
 
 
 
with Maj. General Tahir Masood, D.G. 
 
 
 
 
Dr. Naeem Chaudhry, Director 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Kaleemullah, L.O.  
 
 
 
 
 
Date of hearing  :  
02.07.2013 
 
ORDER 
 
 
 
 
 
IFTIKHAR MUHAMMAD CHAUDHRY, C.J.-  This 
Civil Misc. Application has been filed on behalf of the respondent 
Federation through Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Government of 
Pakistan for seeking extension of time in the holding of 
Cantonment Elections in respect whereof, this Court, vide 
judgment dated 03.01.2013 had directed to complete the process 
of elections up to 05.05.2013.  
2. 
  
Brief facts of the case are that the petitioner 
approached this Court by filing a petition under Article 184(3) of 
the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, inter alia, with 
the following prayer: -  
CMA No.3258/2013 
2 
“It is, therefore, respectfully prayed that keeping in 
view the above submissions, the respondent No.1 
may kindly be directed to issue Notification for the 
purpose of de-limitation of the wards in Cantonments 
and further be directed to prepare electoral roll of the 
wards in Cantonment and further be directed to hold 
election of the Cantonment Board forthwith in 
accordance with law.”  
The petitioner’s case was that under Article 32 read with Article 
140A of the Constitution, it is incumbent upon the State to 
encourage Local Government Institutions comprising elected 
representatives of the area concerned with special representation 
of peasants, workers and women. It was not disputed that the 
elections to the Cantonment Boards, as required under section 
14(1)(b) of the Cantonment Act, 1924 [Act, 1924] were not 
conducted for about last 14 year on one pretext or the other.  
3. 
  
During hearing of the matter, it was stated on behalf 
of the respondent Federation that in pursuance of provisions of 
section 14(1)(b) of Act, 1924, a summary had been moved to the 
Chief Executive/Prime Minister of Pakistan on 05.05.2012 with the 
proposal that it was necessary to vary the composition of 31 
Cantonment Boards for a period of one year commencing from 
05.05.2012, which was about to expire on 04.05.2013. It was 
also stated that as soon as approval was accorded by the Prime 
Minister allowing the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold 
elections to the Cantonment Boards, necessary administrative 
arrangements would be made in that behalf. Furthermore, by 
means of CMA No.5232/2012 it was, inter alia, stated that in 
compliance of order of the Apex Court dated 17.12.2012, it is 
submitted that this Ministry has no intention to seek further 
CMA No.3258/2013 
3 
extension (which is still 04.05.2013), in the existing Boards 
sought earlier vide section 14(1) of Cantonment Act, 1924. This 
Court vide order dated 03.01.2013 disposed of the petition with 
the direction that the Federal Government may not allow further 
extension in variation of composition of Cantonment Boards in 
terms of section 14(1)(b) of the Act, 1924 after 05.05.2013 
unless conditions noted therein were required to be pressed into 
service compulsorily and in the meanwhile steps would be taken 
to ensure that the elections of Cantonment Boards were held after 
completing the process of the limitations of wards, etc., as per the 
Cantonment Ordinance, 2002 read with the Cantonments Local 
Government (Elections) Rule, 2012 as the Election Commission 
was also willing and ready to under the process of election.  
4. 
 
By this Misc. Application for extension of time in the 
holding of Cantonment Boards Elections is being sought, inter 
alia, stating therein that a request for holding elections for the 
local government in the Cantonment areas was sent to the ECP 
vide letter dated 21.12.2012, but the ECP vide its letter dated 
18.03.2013 raised certain legal questions/observations and advice 
of Law & Justice Division was sought thereon. It is stated that 
pending the clarification of the said legal issues and the fact that 
the ECP was busy in holding general elections in the country, it 
was not possible to hold the Cantonment Boards elections by the 
target date fixed by this Court.  
5. 
 
A written statement signed by the Secretary, Ministry 
of Defence was filed in Court, wherein he had requested for 
extension of time for holding of elections of the Cantonment 
Boards and undertaken that the entire process of elections in all 
CMA No.3258/2013 
4 
the Cantonment Boards would be completed on or before 
15.09.2013.  
6. 
  
Learned Attorney General appeared and explained 
that the Government is contemplating essential amendments in 
the relevant laws for the purpose of holding Cantonment Boards 
elections and since the process is likely to consume some time, 
therefore, extension of time in holding the elections be allowed.  
7. 
 
It may be observed that prior to the Partition of the 
Subcontinent, the territory of Indo-Pak remained under the 
foreign domination for a long period, during which its traditional 
institutions were badly mutilated if they escaped extinction. The 
vast majority of people in the country lived in villages and small 
towns; therefore, it was required to evolve a system that would 
increasingly associate them with the ordering of their affairs. This 
could only be achieved through decentralization of the authority 
which had been vested in the District Officer under the British 
rule. In that scenario, a system was required to be evolved which 
has its roots in the public and after building a strong base goes on 
to construct the structure above. It had to be different from the 
system which had beautifully trimmed structure with all the frills 
of parliamentary democracy but hollow from within and without 
any base below. For a real democracy, it is necessary that all the 
inhabitants must have a say in their affairs. With the prevailing 
level of political consciousness, they can fully understand their 
immediate problems and requirements and evaluate what is of 
immediate good and what is not. There is little reason, therefore, 
why advantage of this should not be taken by involving them in 
the management of their affairs through directly chosen 
CMA No.3258/2013 
5 
representatives. For a villager it is, perhaps, not possible to 
assess with any degree of accuracy the qualities and disabilities of 
rival candidates from distant cities who may make periodic 
appearances at the time of elections, but he is surely a good 
judge of a fellow villager who may canvass for his vote for a local 
council.  
8. 
 
After long time a solution was provided in the year 
1979 in the shape of respective Local Government Ordinances for 
each province. The procedure for conduct of election of the Local 
Government was provided. However, by means of respective 
Local Government Elections Ordinance, 2000, new mechanism 
was provided for conducting the elections. Later, the local 
government laws were repealed through fresh Local Government 
Ordinance, 2001. The said Local Government Ordinances contain 
the procedure for the conduct of elections for each local area. For 
reference, the relevant provisions of Punjab Local Government 
Ordinance, 2001 are reproduced hereinbelow: -  
12. 
Local governments for local areas.– (1) For 
each local area, there shall be a local government 
comprising– 
(a) 
District Government and Zila Council in a 
district or a City District; 
(b) 
Tehsil Municipal Administration and Tehsil 
Council in a tehsil; 
(c) 
Town Municipal Administration and Town 
Council in a town; and 
(d) 
Union Administration and Union Council in 
a union. 
 
 
(2) 
In case of a district consisting of a single 
Tehsil, the Government may dispense with setting up of 
Tehsil Council and holding of election of Tehsil Nazim 
and Naib Tehsil Nazim in such Tehsil and in that case 
the Tehsil Municipal Administration shall function 
directly under Zila Nazim and the functions of Tehsil 
Council shall be performed by the Zila Council. 
 
(3) 
In case of a Tehsil consisting of a single 
Union, the Government may dispense with setting up 
CMA No.3258/2013 
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of Tehsil Council and holding of election of Tehsil 
Nazim and Tehsil Naib Nazim in such Tehsil and in 
that case the functions of the Tehsil Municipal 
Administration shall be performed by the Union 
Administration and the functions of Tehsil Council 
shall be performed by the Union Council. 
 
148. Franchise.– (1) Members of a Union Council, 
including Union Nazim and Naib Union Nazim shall be 
elected through direct elections based on adult 
franchise and on the basis of joint electorate. 
 
(2) 
The Electoral College for the election of 
Zila Nazim and reserved seats of women, peasants 
and workers, and minorities in the Zila Council shall 
be all the members of Union Councils in the District, 
including Union Nazims and Naib Union Nazims. 
 
(3) 
The electoral college for the election of a 
Tehsil Nazim, Town Nazim and reserved seats of 
women, peasants and workers, and minorities in the 
Tehsil Council and Town Council, shall be all the 
members of the Union Councils in the Tehsil or, as the 
case may be, Town, including Union Nazims and Naib 
Union Nazims: 
 
Provided that for the election for reserved seats 
for women in Zila Council proportionately divided 
among Tehsils or Towns, shall be all members of the 
Union Councils in a Tehsil or, as the case may be, 
Town. 
 
Explanation.– For the purpose of this section, all 
members of Union Councils, notified as returned 
candidates in the elections held under this Ordinance, 
shall be deemed to be members of the Electoral 
College. 
 
150. Election 
Commission 
to 
conduct 
local 
government elections.– (1) The Election Commission 
shall conduct the local government elections. 
 
(2) 
In this Ordinance, “Election Commission” 
means the Election Commission constituted under 
Article 218 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic 
of Pakistan. 
 
151. Delimitation of electoral wards.– (1) The 
electoral ward for the election of a Zila Nazim, shall be a 
District, for a Tehsil Nazim, a Tehsil, for a Town Nazim, a 
Town, and for a Union Nazim and a Naib Union Nazim, a 
Union. 
 
(2) 
The electoral ward for the election of a 
Naib Zila Nazim, Naib Tehsil Nazim and Naib Town 
Nazim shall be the respective Council. 
 
(3) 
The Union shall be a multi-member ward 
for election of members of a Union Council. 
 
154. Elections of Nazims, etc.– (1) A candidate for 
the office of Zila Nazim and a Tehsil Nazim or a Town 
Nazim securing highest number of votes in their 
CMA No.3258/2013 
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respective wards against other candidates, shall be 
declared elected. 
 
(2) 
A Union Nazim and Naib Union Nazim as 
joint candidates, securing highest number of votes in 
their electoral ward against other joint candidates, 
shall be declared elected. 
9.  
 
It may be observed that initially, the Cantonment Act, 
1924 was promulgated to consolidate and amend the law relating to 
the administration of cantonments. Later on, the said Act was 
superseded by the Cantonment Ordinance, 2002. As per definition of 
Cantonment provided in section 3 of the Ordinance, 2002, the 
Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare any 
place or places in which any part of the armed forces of Pakistan is 
quartered or where defence installation or defence production units 
are located or which, being in the vicinity of any such place or places, 
is or are required for the service of such forces to be a cantonment 
for the purposes of the Ordinance and of all other enactments for the 
time being in force, and may, by a like notification, declare that any 
cantonment shall cease to be a cantonment. The Government may, 
by a like notification, define the limits of any cantonment for the 
aforesaid purposes. When any place is declared a cantonment for the 
first time, the Government may, until a local government is 
constituted in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance, by 
order make any provision which appears necessary to it either for the 
administration of the Cantonment or for the constitution of the local 
government. The Government may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, direct that in any place declared a cantonment under sub-
section (1) the provisions of any enactment relating to local 
government other than the Ordinance shall have effect only to such 
extent or subject to such modifications, or that any authority 
constituted under any such enactment shall exercise authority      
CMA No.3258/2013 
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only to such extent, as may be specified in the notification. Section 
57 of the Ordinance provides that members of union councils, 
including union Nazims and Naib Union Nazims, shall be elected 
through elections based on adult franchise and on the basis of a joint 
electorate. The Electoral College for elections of Vice-President and 
reserved seats for women, peasants, workers and minorities in the 
Board shall, be all members of Union Councils in the cantonment 
including Union Nazims and Naib Nazims. For reference relevant 
provisions of the Ordinance are reproduced hereinbelow: - 
57. Franchise.-(1) Members of Union Councils 
including Union Nazims and Naib Union Nazims shall 
be elected through elections based on adult franchise 
and on the basis of joint electorate. 
(2) The Electoral College for election of Vice-President 
and reserved seats of women, peasants and workers 
and minorities in the Board shall, be all members of 
the Union Councils in the cantonment including Union 
Nazims and Naib Nazims. 
Explanation.-For the purpose of this section, all 
members of Union Counsels notified as returned 
candidates in the elections held under this Ordinance, 
shall be deemed to be members of the Electoral 
College. 
 
58. Authority for local government elections.-(1) 
All elections to the Union Council and the Board shall 
be 
organized 
and 
conducted 
by the 
President 
according to the rules made under this Ordinance and 
such rules may provide for all matters connected 
therewith or incidental thereto, including the time of 
holding the elections by-elections, corrupt or illegal 
practices 
and 
other 
election 
offences 
and 
the 
submission, trial and disposal of election petitions. 
Provided that in a cantonment where no Board has 
been constituted, the function of President under this 
sub-section 
shall 
be 
performed 
by 
the 
Officer 
Commanding the station. 
(3) [sic.] The Government may authorize any of its 
officers to exercise any of its powers and to perform 
any of its functions under this Ordinance. 
 
61. 
Non-party 
elections.--Local 
government 
elections in the cantonment shall be held on non-party 
basis.   
       
CMA No.3258/2013 
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62. Joint candidacy and elections. - (1) A Union 
Nazim and Naib Union Nazim shall contest elections in 
their respective wards as joint candidates: 
Provided that on occurrence of a casual vacancy a 
candidate for the office of a Union Nazim or Naib 
Union Nazim shall contest the election for such office 
in his individual capacity; 
(2) Union Nazim and Naib Union Nazim securing the 
highest number of votes, as joint candidates shall be 
declared elected.  
 
10. 
 
It is to be noted that under the Cantonment laws, 
total number of 43 Cantonments have been created in Pakistan, 
which are as under: -  
Balochistan 
 
(1) 
Khuzdar Cantonment 
(2) 
Loralai Cantonment 
(3) 
Ormara Cantonment 
(4) 
Quetta Cantonment 
(5) 
Zhob Cantonment 
 
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 
(6) 
Abbottabad Cantonment 
(7) 
Bannu Cantonment 
(8) 
Dera Ismail Khan Cantonment 
(9) 
Kohat Cantonment 
(10) Mardan Cantonment 
(11) Nowshera Cantonment 
(12) Peshawar Cantonment 
(13) Risalpur Cantonment 
(14) Havelian Cantonment 
(15) Kala Bagh/Murree Galies Cantonment 
 
Punjab 
(16) Attock Cantonment 
(17) Sanjwal Cantonment (adjacent to Attock Cantt) 
(18) Bhawalpur Cantonment 
(19) Chaklala Cantonment 
(20) Gujranwala Cantonment 
(21) Jhelum Cantonment 
(22) Kamra Cantonment 
(23) Kharian Cantonment 
(24) Mangla Cantonment 
(25) Multan Cantonment 
(26) Murree Hills Cantonment 
(27) Okara Cantonment 
(28) Rawalpindi Cantonment 
(29) Sargodha Cantonment 
(30) Shorkot Cantonment (PAF Rafiqui) 
(31) Sialkot Cantonment 
(32) Taxila Cantonment 
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(33) Lahore Cantonment 
(34) Wah Cantonment 
(35) Walton Cantonment (Created out of the 
southern parts of the original Lahore Cantt.) 
 
Sindh 
(36) Clifton Cantonment, Karachi  
(37) Faisal Cantonment, Karachi 
(38) Hyderabad Cantonment 
(39) Karachi Cantonment 
(40) Korangi Creek Cantonment, Karachi 
(41) Malir Cantonment, Karachi 
(42) Manora Cantonment, Karachi 
(43) Pano Aqil Cantonment 
 
11. 
  
It is pertinent to mention here that despite a clear 
mandate of law, elections of the Cantonment Local Government, 
i.e. Members of Union Councils including Union Nazims and Naib 
Nazims, have not been held for the last 14 years.  Similarly, 
Federal and Provincial Governments have also failed to hold 
elections of the Local Governments in all the Provinces and 
Islamabad Capital Territory through election Commission of 
Pakistan.  
12. 
 
It may be observed that the life of a community is 
essentially the creation of its particular environment. It is difficult 
to establish an organization that would effectively look after the 
well being of all the social groups in a country. Only such political 
system can succeed which is essentially indigenous. Therefore, 
establishment of democratic institutions at the grass root level is 
basic requirement for the welfare of the society. The Local Self-
Government institutions lay the foundation of such a system. 
They are based upon the recognition that the only way to respond 
to the needs of the individuals is to associate them with the 
process of authority. In this regard, it would be appropriate to 
quote Sydney Webb’s remarks who said that any system of 
CMA No.3258/2013 
11
government, however mechanically perfect, would fail to take 
roots in the midst of the masses of people, unless it was in some 
way grafted on to the spontaneous grouping of the people 
themselves. As such, the broad masses of people are to be 
genuinely associated with the management of their affairs and 
encouraged to work for their own welfare. Essentially, the 
institutions at local/grass root levels protect the human dignity of 
common man to which he is entitled.   
13. 
 
Local Government or Municipal Government is a form 
of public administration, which in a majority of contexts, exists as 
the lowest tier of administration within a given state or district. In 
many countries, it usually comprises the third tier of government, 
often with greater powers than higher-level administrative 
divisions. The question of municipal autonomy is a key question of 
public administration and governance. It is noteworthy that Local 
Governments generally act within powers delegated to them by 
legislation or directives of the higher level of government. The 
political analysts have always emphasized on the importance of 
local self-government. There are two principles underlining the 
establishment of Local bodies. Firstly, local bodies enjoy extensive 
powers to act in a way they like for the betterment of the 
community unless restricted by law in any sphere of activity. 
Secondly, local bodies cannot go beyond the specific functions 
delineated to them in various acts and statutes.  
14. 
 
The concept of participation of ordinary people in the 
conduct of public affairs was advanced by the liberal philosopher 
John Stuart Mill as early as the mid 19th century. He considered 
the broad involvement of citizens to be the most effective 
CMA No.3258/2013 
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guarantee 
of 
a 
well-functioning 
democratic 
polity, 
counterbalancing the threats posed by an over-powerful and 
interventionist state. In his view, the citizen’s opportunity to 
articulate his views and assert his rights afforded him the best 
protection against any abuse of these rights by the state. 
15. 
 
In general, this tier of government is responsible for 
decision-making in those policy areas which have a direct impact 
on the lives of local citizens, e.g. urban regeneration, housing, 
schools, employment and social security, health, arts, culture and 
sport, local public transport, water and energy, and regional 
planning. These are the areas where the local citizens must have 
the opportunity to exert direct influence on policy-makers and 
thus participate in the decision-making process. Thus, local self-
government not only has a legal and a political dimension, but it 
also has sociological connotations, namely, it directly affects 
community life within a demarcated locality. It is pertinent to 
mention here that in the developed democracies, local self-
government has contributed substantially to social and economic 
development and the emergence of a civil society and its 
importance for democratic development has been recognized 
consistently all over the world.  
16. 
 
It is important to bear in mind that local government 
is the most vital element in a democracy, though not generally 
recognized as such. Existence of local bodies is important for 
strengthening the process of democracy. In the recent years, local 
self-government has been playing a vital role in the establishment 
of good governance and community development. The local 
bodies, at one end, provide services to the local community and, 
CMA No.3258/2013 
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on the other, act as an instrument of democratic self-government. 
The existence of local self-government provides mechanism for 
the enforcement of Fundamental Rights of the people. Such 
government bodies are helpful for development including 
education, health, social services as well as in improving law and 
order situation. In short, the local self-government is necessary 
not only for strengthening democracy in country but also for 
securing good governance, which is essential to ensure the 
welfare of the citizens. This tier of government is always 
appreciated by the general public because it remains within their 
approach, as such they get involved in the decision making 
process.  
17. 
 
All modern states have developed a system of self-
governing local authorities. In many countries, the basic unit of 
local self-government is the municipality. Over the course of 
history, two types of self-governing units, namely, cities and 
municipalities have evolved at local level. The territorial 
boundaries of units of local self-government are defined by law. 
local self-government is presumed to be in existence where a 
local government is established as a legal, corporate and political 
institution with decision-making powers. One of the main traits of 
local self-government is that there must be a representative body, 
a council or an assembly, directly elected by local citizens through 
elections, with budgetary autonomy and power to make 
legislation at local level. The brief of local government structure in 
various countries is given hereinbelow: - 
INDIA 
In India the local government is the third level of 
government apart from the State and Central 
CMA No.3258/2013 
14
governments. 
There 
are 
two 
types 
of 
Local 
Government in operation; firstly, Panchayats in rural 
areas 
and 
Municipalities 
in 
urban 
areas. 
The 
Panchayats are a linked-system of local bodies with 
village panchayats (average population about 5,000), 
panchayat samities at the intermediate level (average 
population about 100,000), and district panchaytas 
(average population about 1,000,000). The local 
government bodies are the democratic institutions at 
the basic level. 
 
FRANCE  
In France there are three main tiers of local 
administration; namely, the commune, department 
and region. These are both districts in which 
administrative decisions made at national level are 
carried out and local authorities with powers of their 
own. A local authority is a public-law corporation with 
its own name, territory, budget, employees, etc. and 
has specific powers and a certain degree of autonomy 
vis-à-vis central government. In addition, there are 
France's overseas territories and regional bodies 
(collectivités territoriales) with special status (Paris, 
Marseille, Lyon, Corsica, Mayotte and Saint-Pierre-et-
Miquelon). 
 
JAPAN 
Since the Meiji restoration, Japan has had a local 
government 
system 
based 
on 
prefectures. 
The 
national government oversees much of the country. 
Municipal governments were historical villages. There 
are 
47 
prefectures. 
They 
have 
two 
main 
responsibilities; one is mediation between national 
and municipal governments, and the other is area 
wide administration. Now mergers are common for 
cost effective administration. 
 
TURKEY 
CMA No.3258/2013 
15
Turkey has two levels of local government; provinces 
(iller) and districts (ilçeler). The territory of Turkey is 
subdivided into 81 provinces for administrative 
purposes. The provinces are organized into 7 regions 
for census purposes; however, they do not represent 
an administrative structure. Each province is divided 
into districts, for a total of 923 districts. 
 
SOUTH AFRICA 
South Africa has a two tiered local government 
system comprising local municipalities which fall into 
district municipalities, and metropolitan municipalities 
which span both tiers of local government. 
 
PAKISTAN 
Local government is the third tier of government in 
Pakistan, after Federal Government and Provincial 
Government. There are three types of administrative 
unit of local government in Pakistan; namely, District 
Government 
Administrations, 
Town 
Municipal 
Administrations and Union Council Administrations. 
There are over five thousand local governments in 
Pakistan. After the promulgation of Local Government 
Ordinance, 2001, there established democratically 
elected local councils, each headed by a Nazim 
(Supervisor 
or 
Mayor). 
Some 
of 
the 
districts 
consisting of large metropolitan areas are called City 
Districts. A City District often contains subdivisions 
called Towns and Union Councils. As per local 
government laws, elections of union councils are to be 
held after every four years. District Governments also 
include a District Coordination Officer (DCO), who is a 
civil servant in-charge of all devolved departments. 
Currently, the Powers of Nazim are also held by the 
DCO.  
 
18. 
 
Thus, in the light of the above, it is imperative upon 
the Government to ensure that the local government bodies 
CMA No.3258/2013 
16
elections as envisaged under the law must be held from time to 
time so that the representatives of the people are enabled to 
participate in managing their affairs at the gross root levels and 
the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under the Constitution are 
protected and enforced.  
19.   
Hereinabove are the detailed reasons of our order of 
even 
date, 
relevant 
paras 
therefrom 
are 
reproduced 
hereinbelow:- 
“2. 
 
After discussing the issue at length in 
presence 
of 
Secretary 
Defence 
and 
also 
seeking 
instructions 
from 
the 
Election 
Commission, 
who 
is 
responsible to hold elections, following statement has been 
placed on record:- 
“STATEMENT OF SECRTARY DEFENCE/ RESPONDENT 
NO.1 
 
 
I, the Secretary Defence, respectfully request 
for extension in time during which elections are to 
be completed in the Cantonments boards and 
undertake that the entire process of the elections in 
all the Cantonment Boards shall be completed on or 
before the 15th September, 2013. 
Sd/- 
Lt. Gen (Retd) 
Asif Yasin Malik 
Secretary Defence/Respondent No.1” 
 
The petitioner also expresses his satisfaction on the above 
statement.   
3. 
 
Thus, in view of commitment made on behalf 
of the Executive, we allow this application and extend the 
period of holding the elections in the Cantonment Boards 
up to 15th September, 2013.  Copy of this order be also 
sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure 
holding of the elections in terms of Constitutional 
provisions (Article 32 read with Article 140-A) on or before 
the 15th September, 2013.   
4. 
 
We extend our gratitude and place on record 
our thanks to learned Attorney General for Pakistan as on 
account of his intervention the Executive has agreed to 
CMA No.3258/2013 
17
hold the elections of Cantonment Boards, after a period of 
about  14 years. 
5. 
 
We may point out that in view of the 
constitutional provisions and the principles of good 
governance, local bodies have to play an important role to 
achieve the welfare and good governance for the citizens 
of the country.  At the same time we are also hopeful that 
the provincial governments as well as the administration of 
Islamabad shall also make arrangements as early as could 
be possible to hold local bodies elections in accordance 
with law.” 
 
  
 
CHIEF JUSTICE 
 
 
JUDGE 
 
 
JUDGE 
Islamabad, the 
2nd July, 2013 
Nisar/* 
 
 
 
Approved For Reporting