IHC declares LG Ordinance 2021 null and void

Says that local body elections should be held under LG Act 2015

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday annulled the Islamabad Local Government Ordinance 2021.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the IHC ruled on petitions – filed by former UC chairman Sardar Mehtab, CDA trade union and CDA Officers Association - against the Islamabad Local Government Ordinance 2021.

Last year, the ordinance was challenged in the high court through various petitions which raised questions about the future of elected representatives in the presence of the Local Government Act, limiting the role of the chairman by introducing a new local government system through an ordinance and in the absence of a formal law under it.

Read More: Islamabad LG ordinance challenged in court

During the proceedings, Barrister Omar Ijaz Gilani, Qazi Adil, Kashif Malik and other lawyers presented arguments on behalf of the petitioners

The public prosecutor also prayed that the parliamentary session ended on November 19 whereas the ordinance was issued on November 23.

The court declared the ordinance null and void and said that local body elections should be held under the Local Government Act 2015.