ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restrained the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) from increasing property taxes until the local government elections are conducted.

The direction was issued by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani while hearing petitions concerning the delay in the local government elections and the scope of municipal authority in Islamabad.

Barrister Umar Ijaz Gilani and others appeared on behalf of the petitioners.

Representatives from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Capital Development Authority (CDA), MCI as well as the additional and assistant attorneys general were present during the proceedings.

The additional attorney general informed the court that the proposed Islamabad Local Government Election Commission Act 2025 was currently under review by a parliamentary standing committee and will be forwarded to the National Assembly for further debate and approval.

The ECP submitted a report outlining a 120-day timeline for holding local government elections in Islamabad, noting that the process was more complex than general elections due to the variety of nomination papers required.

Justice Kayani questioned the additional attorney general on the urgency of the proposed legislative amendments, drawing a comparison with the swift implementation of the 26th constitutional amendment. The official responded that the upcoming amendment would also be enacted promptly.

The petitioners argued that without an elected local government in place, MCI lacked the authority to impose or increase property taxes.

Justice Kayani concurred, stating that the old property tax rates will remain in force until a new local government is elected.

The court adjourned the hearing till September 24.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2025