IHC Issues Notices on Property Tax and Elections

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has taken a significant step by issuing notices to the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI), Election Commission of Pakistan, and other relevant parties in response to petitions challenging the revised property tax in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and advocating for local bodies elections in the federal capital.

The petitions were filed by Air Commodore (Retd) Akhtar Nawaz Khan and Muhammad Daniyal Abdullah, contesting a notification issued by the MCI on 23.01.2024, which revised property tax rates across the ICT. The petitioners argued that the notification violated the rights and principles outlined in Section 88 of the Islamabad Local Government Act, 2015, emphasizing that only an elected local government should have the authority to impose property taxes in the ICT.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, presiding over the case, recognized the importance of the issues raised and directed the Secretary Ministry of Interior and the Election Commission of Pakistan to explain the delay in conducting local government elections in the ICT. The court also called upon the Administrator of MCI to clarify the legal basis for the notification and his appointment process.

Further proceedings on the case have been postponed until May 20 to allow for the submission of relevant reports and legal justifications. This development underscores the ongoing legal challenges surrounding property tax revisions in the ICT and the demand for transparent and accountable governance through local bodies elections.