IHC restrains MCI from increasing property tax

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday restrained the MCI from increasing property tax in the federal capital till the local body elections.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the case regarding the local body elections. During the hearing, Barrister Umar Ijaz Gilani, Badr Iqbal, Muhammad Ali and others, besides the petitioners, lawyers and representatives of the Election Commission of Pakistan, CDA and MCI, Additional Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General and others also appeared in the court.

The Additional Attorney General told the court that the Islamabad Local Body Election Commission Act 2025 is under discussion in the Standing Committee after this the bill will then come to Parliament.

The ECP also submitted reports related to the local body elections in Islamabad to the court and it was informed that the Election Commission had given a timeline of 120 days for the local body elections in Islamabad.

In the general elections, nomination papers are one while in the local body elections, there are more. On this occasion, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani asked the Additional Attorney General how long will the amendment take. To which the Additional Attorney General said that this amendment will also be made soon.

The petitioner’s lawyer said when there is no elected local government, how the property tax can be increased. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani said that the old property tax rate will remain applicable until the local government is elected. The court adjourned the hearing of the case until September 24.