IHC seeks Interior Ministry’s reply in Islamabad LG election case

• IHC heard appeals of the ECP anf Federation on holding elections
• IHC CJ said there was no solid reason for increasing the number of UCs
• Court sought interior ministry’s reply and adjourned hearing

ISLAMABAD The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday sought the Interior Ministry’s reply in appeals with regard to local government elections in the federal capital.

An IHC bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Saman Raffat Imtiaz heard the appeals of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Federation against the decision of a single-member bench on conducting the local bodies polls.

At the outset of the hearing, Additional Attorney General Munawar Duggal said the joint session of the parliament had approved the Islamabad Capital Territory LG (Amendment) Bill, which would be effective from February 25.

The chief justice asked whether there was any guarantee that the number of union councils would not be increased again as according to the new law the federal hovernment had the authority to do so, and whether there was any problem to hold elections in 125 UCs. There was no solid reason for increasing the number of UCs, the judge remarked.

The AAG said the Election Commission of Pakistan had to carry out new delimitation in the 125 UCs. The ECP’s Director General Law said the institution could complete the process of delimitation in 60 days and the election schedule could be issued. He agreed to update the court about the new date of LG polls after taking instructions.

Advocate General Islamabad said it would be appropriate if the Interior Ministry’s opinion was also sought on the matter. The court adjourned the case till March 2, instructing the Interior Ministry to depute a responsible officer to submit its reply in the appeals.

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