LAHORE - As the Punjab government dithers to comply with the Supreme Court orders on holding of local bodies’ elections, a heated debate on the issue is very much likely in the Punjab Assembly during its upcoming session convened for Friday next. 

On the requisition of the Opposition, Acting Speaker Punjab Assembly, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan on Tuesday summoned the Assembly to meet on Friday at 3pm.
The opposition parties want to agitate the issue of local government elections on the Assembly floor following Punjab government’s blatant refusal to hold them despite clear directions from the superior judiciary. They intend to remind the government of Supreme Court’s orders for conduct of the elections without any further delay.  
Notwithstanding the court orders, the ruling party in Punjab is opposed to local bodies’ elections because it considers the move a ploy orchestrated by the PPP to postpone the general elections.  The PPP, on the other hand, has accused the Punjab government of misappropriating local government funds by delaying the elections. It has also alleged that PML-N was averse to holding local polls for fear of its anticipated defeat.  
In Punjab, the PPP has intensified campaign in favour of local bodies following President Zardari’s statement  that LB polls should be held before the general elections.