The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned Mohsin Naqvi, the federal interior minister, in his personal capacity in connection with delays in holding local government elections in Islamabad.
A five-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the case on Thursday. During the hearing, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Ali Randhawa appeared before the commission.
However, the interior secretary did not attend the proceedings, prompting the commission to issue a contempt notice against him.
During the hearing, the chief election commissioner questioned the absence of the interior secretary and remarked that if the official was unwilling to appear, the interior minister would be summoned personally.
He directed that Mohsin Naqvi should attend the next hearing himself. ICT administration officials were told that they could inform authorities that the Election Commission had not been given an opportunity to be heard.
ECP officials informed the bench that letters had been sent to the Ministry of Interior but no response had been received. They said the ministry was not cooperating despite repeated communication.
The commission also said it required the demarcation notification, Islamabad’s official map and details of the number of union council members in order to begin the delimitation process.
Sikandar Sultan Raja observed that the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration appeared to be taking the matter lightly, stressing that conducting the elections was directly the responsibility of the ICT administration.
He noted that three federal ministers had earlier appeared before the commission and assured cooperation, warning authorities not to force the commission into taking strict action.
The chief election commissioner directed the Islamabad chief commissioner to present progress on the matter at the next hearing, which was adjourned until next Tuesday.
