Judge tells govt to give concrete response in writing regarding the lack of polling in the capital
The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the schedule for local government elections in the capital and directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue a new schedule for the polls.
A three-member bench of the apex court resumed the hearing on Wednesday regarding elections in Islamabad. Justice Jawwad S Khawaja questioned as to why only the people of Islamabad have been deprived of local bodies polls.
The judge ordered that the court requires concrete responses in writing, regarding the lack of polling in the capital. He further remarked that other bills in the parliament are given priority except for this one.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Bill which was previously passed by the national assembly is still pending before the Senate.
Justice Khawaja further said that a bill pertaining to finance was just passed in parliament. He added that the court cannot question the parliament, but it can question the government. He reminded the court that LG elections have already been held in Balochistan along with Cantonment Board, while the schedules for Sindh and Punjab LG polls have been submitted.
During the hearing, Justice Khawaja ordered the government to inform the court about its stance on the issue after holding a meeting. Stakeholders in the matter held a meeting in the Attorney General of Pakistan’s office and decided to comply with the SCP’s order. The meeting was attended by interior secretary and law advisor along with other delegates. The team has filed its reply in the SCP regarding the issue.
Justice Khawaja said that the government should disclose the reason behind not holding local bodies (LB) elections on July 25. He said that he would consider it having failed to shoulder his responsibilities if he is unable to provide basic rights to the people of Islamabad.
Upon failure of provision of substantial reason from the government in LB polls matter, Justice Khawaja raised three questions. He asked, “Do people of Islamabad do not have the right to choose their representatives?”, “Why LB polls cannot be held on July 25? And what progress has been made in the matter after approval of bill from the NA four months ago?”
Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman said that the National Assembly (NA) approved the bill in March of current year. Justice Khawaja said that the judiciary has been told there are loopholes in the approved bill. The bill would again be put forth in the NA after Senate approves Amendments, he added. Justice Khawaja said that they could not ask the Parliament but they surely could ask the government about progress in the matter.
AAG said that the bill bears numerous clerical mistakes whereas the NA session is scheduled for July 27. Justice Azmat remarked that the government should give answers about mistakes in lawmaking to the people not the judiciary. The government should decide and face the people itself, he added.
Petitioner Zafar Ali Shah said that influential bureaucrats in Islamabad are not letting the LB polls happen. Justice Khawaja ordered the additional attorney general to let the court know about government’s decision. They have committed a mistake once in the past and they would not repeat it, he added.
Justice Khawaja remarked that he hoped that the government would complete process of new legislation about Islamabad LB polls in parliament till August 03.
[…] Judge tells govt to give concrete response in writing regarding the lack of polling in the capital The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the schedule for local government elections in the capital and directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue a new schedule for the polls. A three-member bench of the apex court resumed the hearing on Wednesday regarding elections in Islamabad. Justice Jawwad S Khawaja questioned as to why only the people of Islamabad have been deprived of local bodies polls. The judge ordered that the court requires concrete responses in writing, regarding the lack of polling in the capital. He further remarked that other bills in the parliament are given priority except for this one. The Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Bill which was previously passed by the national assembly is still pending before the Senate. Justice Khawaja further said that a bill pertaining to finance was just passed in parliament. He added that the court cannot question the parliament, but it can question the government. He reminded the court that LG elections have already been held in Balochistan along with Cantonment Board, while the schedules for Sindh and Punjab LG polls have been submitted. During the hearing, Justice Khawaja ordered the government to inform the court about its stance on the issue after holding a meeting. Stakeholders in the matter held a meeting in the Attorney General of Pakistan’s office and decided to comply with the SCP’s order. The meeting was attended by interior secretary and law advisor along with other delegates. The team has filed its reply in the SCP regarding the issue. Justice Khawaja said that the government should disclose the reason behind not holding local bodies (LB) elections on July 25. He said that he would consider it having failed to shoulder his responsibilities if he is unable to …read more […]
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