LHC issues notices to Punjab government, ECP to hold local body elections

LAHORE: Justice Shehzada Mazhar of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the Punjab government and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on a petition seeking local government election in the province without further delay.

The judge directed the two respondents to file their replies within two weeks.

The petitioner, advocate Rizwan Gill, submitted that formation of local government was a constitutional requirement and that the provincial government had been violating it by not holding the polls.

He said delaying local elections amounted to disregard the true spirit of democracy.

Gill added that the Supreme Court had already given a deadline for the polls but the government failed to comply, and requested the LHC to order the government to hold the polls, immediately.