IHC bars govt from action against Islamabad Mayor

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday barred the federal government till February 21 from taking any action or implementation on a reference, seeking suspension of Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz.

The court also issued notices to Interior Secretary, SAPM Ali Nawaz, and secretary of Local Government Commission.

The reference was filed against him by the Local Government Commission on a number of charges.

The counsel for Ansar Aziz argued in the court that the reference of suspension of his client as the mayor of the capital was unconstitutional.

The court was also pleaded to restrain Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Capital Development Authority (CDA) Affairs MNA Ali Nawaz Awan from working as the Islamabad mayor.

The petition further maintained that chairman Local Government Commission should be unbiased, whereas Mr Ali Nawaz was biased.

On Feb 13, the Local Government Commission headed by Mr Ali Nawaz decided to proceed against the Islamabad’s mayor over a number of charges.

On Friday, acting Chief Metropolitan Officer (CMO) Humayun Akhtar, who is a member of the CDA, filed a reference with the commission against the mayor.  Mr Ali Nawaz recommended the federal government to suspend the mayor for three months till the completion of the inquiry against him.

In his reference, the CMO alleged that two dozen staff members were in the personal use of the mayor. The mayor was also using official vehicles beyond his entitlement.

In the petition, the mayor said the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) was formed under the Local Government Act 2015 wherein several political, financial and administrative functions were devolved to the MCI.