ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notice to election commission and all respondents for Friday on a contempt of court plea against the federal government on the matter of increasing number of union councils before Local Bodies (LB) polls in Islamabad.
Contempt of court plea filed by PTI leader Ali Nawaz Awan against the government came up for hearing before single bench of IHC led by Chief Justice (CJ) IHC Aamer Farooq T hursday.
Sardar Taimore counsel for petitioner appeared in the court
He told the court during the hearing of the case high court has already given a decision on the matter of enhancing the number of union councils. High court had stopped from further increasing number of union councils. The contempt of court was committed by increasing the number of union councils. Contempt of court proceedings be initiated against the Prime Minister (PM) Shahbaz Sharif and others.
Attorney General (AG) Ashtar Ausaf came on rostrum. DG Election Commission (EC) too appeared in the court.
The court inquired from DG EC has any new notification come regarding union councils.
DG EC told the court yes notification had come but we have issued order on it.
AG told the court
The court inquired what order has been issued.
DG EC told the court we have issued this order the LB polls for Islamabad will take place timely.
The AG told the court the petitioner has not challenged the notification on increasing the number of union councils.
The counsel for EC told the court EC has decided to hold LB polls even after issuance of notification by the government.
The court while addressing the counsel for the petitioner remarked how the contempt of court has occurred when the polls are taking place.
The court remarked the approval for increasing number of union councils was given by federal cabinet then why the petition is only against the Prime Minister. The court cannot stop legislation. How can we stop cabinet from the legislation? If there is any problem we hope opposition and government will resolve it together. Voters have also filed petition against the change of votes. In my view that matter is more important. How can we stop parliament from enacting legislation.
The court further observed there is another petition on this matter that the voters have come to the court. We will club all the petitions with reference to local government and hear them at one time.
The decision of EC for rejecting the federal government notification on increasing number of union councils was challenged on this occasion.
The court issued notice to election commission and all respondents for Friday.
The hearing of the petitions regarding LB polls was adjourned till today (Friday).