Islamabad High Court Seeks Government Response on Presidential Ordinance, Postponement of Local Elections

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court has issued notices to the federal government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), seeking their response on a petition challenging the presidential ordinance and the postponement of local body elections in the federal capital. The court also joined this petition with a similar case filed by Jamaat-e-Islami.

The hearing was presided over by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, who heard the petition filed by the Central Muslim League. The petitioner, Inam-ur-Rehman Kamboh, appeared in court with his lawyer, Ashfaq Ahmed Kharl.

The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the Local Government Ordinance had been challenged through a presidential ordinance, but holding elections should remain the primary responsibility of the ECP. He pointed out that the election schedule had been announced, nomination papers submitted, and all requirements fulfilled, yet the elections were postponed.

The lawyer further highlighted that this is the fourth time local elections in Islamabad have been delayed, urging the court to declare the presidential ordinance null and void and direct the ECP to hold elections.

The court adjourned the hearing and fixed the next date for January 27, while ordering the federal government and ECP to submit their response.