ISLAMABAD: Jamaat e Islami has approached the Islamabad High Court challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to withdraw the schedule for local government elections in the federal capital. The petition highlights growing political and legal concerns over the prolonged absence of elected local bodies in Islamabad.

The case was heard by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan who issued notices to the relevant authorities and sought formal replies. Jamaat e Islami Islamabad Ameer Nasrullah Randhawa appeared before the court along with his legal counsel Chaudhry Shoaib Ahmed to argue the matter.

During the proceedings the petitioner’s counsel contended that a Local Government Amendment Ordinance was already under judicial scrutiny and the Election Commission’s move to withdraw the election schedule had further complicated the legal process. He stressed that the last local government elections in Islamabad were held in 2015 and the constitutionally mandated five year term had long expired.

The court was informed that under prevailing laws fresh local government elections are required to be conducted within 120 days after the completion of the elected bodies’ tenure. The petitioner argued that the continued delay violated constitutional provisions and undermined grassroots democracy in the federal capital.

Jamaat e Islami requested the court to declare the Election Commission’s notification withdrawing the election schedule as unlawful. The petitioner also urged the court to direct the immediate conduct of local government elections to restore representative governance at the municipal level.

The petitioner further sought an interim stay on the ECP notification until the final hearing of the case. However the Islamabad High Court declined to grant immediate relief and adjourned further proceedings until January 27 when the matter will be taken up for detailed arguments.