Entire LG system paralyzed due to absence of people’s representatives at grassroot level: Mohsin
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday reserved its verdict on a petition seeking early local government elections in the federal capital.
Apparently, the local government system is paralyzed and no one is there to look after municipal and urban residential areas’ issues, observed Justice MohsinAkhtarKayani adding the government busy in getting 27th amendment passed by the Parliament has little time for local government polls in Islamabad.
Advocate YawarGardazi represented the petitioner while Arshad Khan, Director General (Law) of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), appeared on behalf of the ECP.
During the proceedings, Justice Kayani engaged in a detailed exchange with the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) and the ECP’s DG Law. Justice Kayani remarked that the absence of local government elections had paralyzed the entire system, saying, “Without elected representatives, no property tax can be imposed, and nothing is functioning properly. Court orders regarding local elections have been repeatedly violated.” Expressing dismay, the judge added, “It is astonishing that those who ordered elections in a single day later suspended their own decision in a division bench. Since 2021, you have been consistently violating the law.” AAG UsmanGhumman argued that amendments to the law caused the delay in local elections, asserting that legislation and amendments fall under Parliament’s jurisdiction.
Justice Kayani responded, “The current Parliament is busy dealing with the 27th Constitutional Amendment and constitutional interpretations — further amendments seem unlikely at this stage.” He further observed, “Not every wrong act can be defended.
Parliament is supreme and has the power to amend or repeal any law.” The judge noted that when flawed laws are passed, they eventually have to be rolled back, which takes time. ECP’s DG Law admitted that complexities in the Local Government Act 2025 amendments had contributed to the delay in holding elections. Justice Kayani then asked, “So when will you announce the schedule for local elections? If you provide a date, the court can also set a corresponding deadline.”
Commenting on the administrative setup, the court criticized the fact that the CDA chairman and chief commissioner Islamabad are the same person, stating, “The government finds it convenient to let one person hold two offices while ignoring the rest.
