ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has remarked in detailed judgment in the case of Local Bodies polls in Islamabad that ensuring Local Bodies (LB) polls is basic responsibility of federal and provincial governments.

It is neither possible to escape from constitutional clauses nor can any concession be given in this regard. Disempowering local government system is breach of article 140-A, this has been said in the detailed judgment by IHC in the case of LB polls in Islamabad.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir has released 11-page detailed judgment. IHC further remarked in the judgment Election Commission (EC) had announced election schedule in Islamabad.

The number of union councils was increased 12 days before polling. Neither any solid reason was told about it nor an unequivocal stance of government came in this regard.

It was further said in the decision when no clear response came from government then it was considered that government has no reason to tell.

The notification on increasing number of union councils was issued on unauthentic statistics of population. It has not been clarified that how it was estimated that population has surged when no population census has taken place.

The decision said federal government’ conduct, looked to be in conflict with law. The courts are bound to protect the institutional norms of election commission along with the constitution.

It has been said in the decision president has not yet signed the amendment bill of local bodies act and the election commission issued orders to postpone the election on proposed legislation.

It has been said further in the Verdict that disempowering local government system is violation of article 140-A of the constitution. Such steps of the government are liable to be rendered nullified by the courts.