Supreme Court rejects schedule of Islamabad LB polls; orders ECP to issue fresh schedule

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Supreme Court on Wednesday cancelled the schedule for local bodies election in Islamabad in absence of the relevant law and directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue a fresh schedule. Justice Khawaja questioned why only the people of Islamabad being deprived of the local government polls. "Does the  government intend to hold the grassroot level elections in Islamabad or not?" the court asked. "If not, the government should tell the people that they are third grade citizens of the country." According to the schedule, the Local Bodies' elections were to be held in the capital on 25th of this month. However, due to absence of relevant law, the court rejected the schedule and directed the election commission of Pakistan to issue a new schedule for the local bodies elections. It is worth mentioning that the National Assembly has passed the bill for conduct of local government elections in Islamabad. The bill has yet to be passed by the Senate.