ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday reserved its decision on a petition seeking early local government elections in the federal capital.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani reserved the decision after hearing the arguments of the parties.

During the hearing, Justice Kayani remarked that the system has been wrecked due to the lack of local government elections, no property tax can be levied, no work is being done properly, and the decisions of the courts related to local government elections are not being continuously implemented.

Justice Mohsin Kayani remarked that it is surprising that those who themselves gave the election decision in one day then sat in the division bench and suspended the decision.

Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghuman said that legislation was made regarding local government elections, due to which the elections were delayed.

DG Law of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that there are complications in the amendments related to local government elections made in the Local Government Act 2025.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar asked, “Then, when are you giving the schedule of local government elections? You give the schedule, and we will then give an expected date.” Justice Kayani said in his remarks that all the authority of local government representatives has been given to the CDA; no one has protected the local government elections.

The court reserved its decision on the petition of petitioner Muhammad Ajlal regarding the Islamabad local government elections.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2025