Islamabad (Pakistan News): Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja stated during a hearing on local government elections that, unfortunately, the current government is neglecting local governance in Islamabad.
The hearing, presided over by the Chief Election Commissioner, addressed delays in holding local body elections. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi could not attend due to ill health, while the Secretary of Interior participated. Considering the minister’s absence, the Chief Election Commissioner granted him an exemption.
During the proceedings, Election Commission officials clarified that including union council names in the draft is the mandate of the Election Commission, not the Secretary of Interior. Officials noted discrepancies in the union council notification, as town and union council numbers were to be recorded, but specific UC names were not requested. The Secretary of Interior increased the number of union councils from 125 to 130 and added unnecessary ward details.
The Secretary apologized for the contempt notice and stated that the draft notification for Islamabad’s local elections had been presented to the cabinet, with a response received from the Ministry of Law.
The Chief Election Commissioner highlighted that Islamabad has not held local elections since February 2021. While previous governments took positive steps regarding local governance, the current administration is reportedly ignoring the Election Commission and local bodies, prompting the issuance of a contempt notice.
The notice was withdrawn in the presence of the Secretary of Interior, and it was announced that a committee comprising the Election Commission and ICT officials would be established, chaired by the Chief Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner, to ensure proper progress. The Chief Election Commissioner emphasized that serious steps will be taken for elections in Islamabad and Punjab, and further delays will not be tolerated. The case was adjourned for further proceedings.
