ISLAMABAD:Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) while ordering to hold Local Bodies (LB) polls in Islamabad under Local Government Act -2015 in federal government has directed to issue election schedule today.

A five members commission under Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja took up the matter of local bodies polls in Islamabad for hearing .

Interior secretary and Election Commission authorities appeared during the hearing.

CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja read out short order of ECP wherein order for holding LB polls in Islamabad under Local Government Act -2015 was given.

Special secretary Election Commission Zafar Iqbal Malik while giving briefing during the hearing told delimitation of constituencies have been carried out six times so far in Islamabad while election schedule was issued for four time.

Last election program was issued on October 9, 2026 under which the polling was to be held in February 2026.

It was further told in the briefing that the tenure of presidential order issued by the government was expired on September 6. Final delimitation were published on October 14. Two reminders were sent to interior ministry regarding expiry of period of presidential order.

Special secretary ECP told the rules in connection with Islamabad local government have not been provided so far.

Law ministry refused to give approval to rules and regulations. Federal government has not so far enacted new local bodies law. Therefore, local government Act 2015 is in place. Permission be granted to hold election under it.

Interior secretary while admitting before Election Commission said the facts presented are correct.

CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja said if the polls are held under local government act- 2015 rules then delimitation of constituencies will not be affected. Interior minister, interior secretary, chief commissioner and ministers committee had given assurances. It seemed as if government does not want to hold LB polls in Islamabad.

CEC made it clear that it is mandatory to hold LB polls under law as per constitution.

ECP ordered that schedule for LB polls be issued today.