November 13, 2008	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 14, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Nov 12: The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday directed interior and local government ministries to make legislation within 15 days for the introduction of Local Government (LG) system in the federal capital.

The single bench of Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Aslam gave the direction on a writ petition moved by a human rights activist.

Standing Counsel Raja Aleem Abbasi and Additional Secretary Ministry of Interior Zafeer Abbasi sought two months time for legislation and introduction of the LG system in Islamabad and said that the elections to local bodies throughout the country would commence after two months.

However, the IHC chief justice turned down the government attorney’s request and ordered him to appear in the court within 15 days with the required legislation.

In the last hearing the ministry of local government had apprised the court that introduction of the LG system in Islamabad was not possible under the existing laws as the federal capital enjoyed a special status.

The petitioner, Advocate Koukab Iqbal, chairman of Pakistan Human Rights Society, had contended that if the LG system could not be enforced in the capital under the Local Government Ordinance, 2002, then the concerned authorities should be directed to legislate a separate law for introducing LG system in Islamabad.

First local government elections were held in 2000 throughout the country except Islamabad, all cantonments and Northern Areas. At that time the NRB had announced that LG polls in these areas would be held in the second phase. But, these areas remained without LG system even in the second LG elections held in 2005.

The next LG polls will be held in 2009.

The National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) and the interior ministry have been shifting the responsibility on each other for not holding LG polls in Islamabad, sources told Dawn.

The NRB claimed that it had completed the arrangements for holding LG polls in the capital but the interior ministry was reluctant.

An official of the NRB said according to a decision taken by the government, the LG elections in Islamabad, Federally Administered Tribal Areas and all cantonments should be held simultaneously.

The interior ministry had reportedly submitted some reservations with the NRB opposing the holding of LG polls in the capital.

The ministry was of the view that because of the presence of a large number of diplomatic community, parliamentarians and bureaucrats, the local government system should not be introduced in the capital.

The armed forces have also shown some reservation against Local Government Ordinance earlier promulgated specifically for the cantonment areas which was amended according to the demand of the armed forces, he said.

All necessary arrangements have been completed to hold LG elections in Islamabad, but the administration of the capital was waiting for election schedule which will be issued by the interior ministry.