The Islamabad High Court has issued notices to the federal government and the Election Commission of Pakistan regarding the Islamabad Local Government Ordinance.

The Islamabad High Court has served notifications to the federal government and the Election Commission of Pakistan over a petition submitted by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) challenging the Islamabad Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026.

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan presided over the case and instructed both parties to provide their reply.

Nasrullah Randhawa, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Islamabad, attended court accompanied by his legal team.

The petitioner’s attorney contended that the election commission had proclaimed the timetable for the local government elections in Islamabad, designating February 15, 2026, as the date.

On February 10, 2026, the President of Pakistan promulgated the Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance, merely three days prior to the National Assembly session.

The petitioner’s attorney argued that the timing of the ordinance’s promulgation, in proximity to the polls, indicated malicious intent, implying that the ordinance aimed to postpone the local elections.

The attorney contended that with the announcement of the election date, there was no rationale for promulgating the ordinance.

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan issued notices to the relevant parties. The judge postponed the hearing to January 27, 2026.