Islamabad LB polls: Govt decides to comply with SCP's order
The bill bears numerous mistakes whereas the NA session is scheduled for July 27, says Amir Rehman
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Stakeholders in local body (LB) elections in the capital on Wednesday have decided to comply with the Supreme Court of Pakistan s (SCP) order after the government body held meeting in the Attorney General of Pakistan s office.
The meeting was attended by Interior Secretary and Law Advisor along with other delegates. However, the team has filed its reply in the SCP regarding the issue.
Earlier, a three member bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja held hearing of the Islamabad LB polls case. Justice Khawaja had ordered the government to inform the court about it s stance on the issue after holding a meeting.
Justice Khawaja said that the government should disclose the reason behind not holding local body (LB) elections on July 25. He said that he would consider he 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?” He further asked questions, “Why LB polls cannot be held on July 25? 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.
Rehman 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.
