IHC suspends new property tax notices, demands date for Islamabad Local Government Elections

Court Reporter
ISLAMABAD: In a significant development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the new property tax notices issued at revised rates, instructing petitioners to pay property tax at the old rate until further notice. The court has also demanded that the federal government provide a date for the local government elections in Islamabad by July 10.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani emphasized that property taxes can only be imposed following the approval of the local government. During the hearing, the court questioned the Election Commission officials on the delay in holding local government elections. Justice Kayani pointed out that delimitations for 125 union councils have already been completed, rendering new delimitations unnecessary.
Highlighting the accountability of successive governments, including those led by Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif, and Shehbaz Sharif, Justice Kayani noted that none have held the required local government elections. He stressed that both the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court have mandated these elections.
Justice Kayani instructed the Election Commission’s lawyer not to mix union councils with national assembly constituencies and questioned the need for frequent new delimitations. He demanded that the federal government provide a date for the local government elections within a week, warning of contempt of court notices if the deadline is not met.
Criticizing the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for misusing funds allocated to the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), Justice Kayani highlighted that substantial taxes have been imposed without local government authority. He warned that without a set election date, both the Chief Election Commissioner and the federal government could face contempt notices.
Additional Attorney General Manawar Iqbal Dogal mentioned that related cases are being heard in other courts, to which Justice Kayani responded that he is accountable for his own court’s rulings. The court provided the federal government one week to offer an election date, emphasizing that failure to do so would lead to further legal action.
The Islamabad High Court’s firm stance underscores the urgency of holding local government elections and the importance of adhering to judicial rulings regarding property tax and governance.