Local body representatives of the federal capital challenged the new local government ordinance in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday.
The court issued notices to President Dr Arif Alvi, home secretary, secretary of law and the attorney general of Pakistan in this regard, and summoned them on January 11. Petitioner Sardar Mehtab said that the direct election of the mayor and removal of the post of deputy mayor is against the law. Petitioner’s counsel, Qazi Adil, argued that the council of unelected persons to run a local government is also against the law.
Earlier, it was reported that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) workers, traders and different unions held a protest rally against the Islamabad Local Government Ordinance 2021. The protest rally was organised by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) trade union Yasin Group at the Aabpara Chowk. The demonstration was attended by thousands of CDA workers, traders and trade unionists.
The speakers said that CDA employees have built a beautiful city like Islamabad but the present government has passed a presidential ordinance in the presence of the parliament, which is not acceptable to the stakeholders. They will not allow the division of national institutions like the CDA and its employees, the speakers maintained. They urged the prime minister not to divide the CDA and protect the rights of 15,000 workers.
Also, Islamabad High Court Wednesday sought comments from respondents in a case against presidential ordinance pertaining to Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC). The court also sought assistance from attorney general of Pakistan regarding the matter. Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the miscellaneous petition against the Ordinance for shifting the control of PNC under Ministry of National Health Services.
The petitioner had adopted the stance that the PNC had been made dysfunctional and was given under the control of Health Ministry. The decision was taken through an Ordinance. The petitioner prayed the court to declare the new law null and void. The IHC’s bench served notices on respondents and adjourned further hearing.
Separately, IHC summoned CDA’s member in a case regarding construction of lawyers complex in the parking of IHC building. The court asked the CDA’s official to apprise it regarding progress in construction of the complex. Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case. Deputy Attorney General Syed Tayyab Shah told the court that the answer of Ministry of Law and Justice had been submitted but the report of CDA was still awaited. At this, the court summoned the concerned CDA’s member in person and adjourned further hearing.
