Islamabad Mayor suspended over corruption allegations

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz has been suspended for a 90-day period over corruption allegations, according to the interior ministry.

The interior ministry issued a notification after the federal cabinet gave the approval to remove Mayor Islamabad Sheikh Anser Aziz from the post. The notification was issued by Joint Secretary Home Ministry Irfan Anjum.

According to the notification, “Aziz was suspended with immediate effect for a period of ninety (90) days for fair conduct of inquiry under section 96, sub-section (1) of Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Act, 2015 (X of 2015)”.

Mayor Sheikh Anser is accused of alleged misappropriation of funds by awarding a contract for inter-city bus service to a company of his choice. Mayor Aziz, however, termed the claims against him as “baseless”.

Responding to the development, he said: “I was immediately suspended over baseless allegations. There are serious allegations of corruption against the PTI’s ministers, MNAs, parliamentary secretaries.”

Earlier this year, a reference had been filed against Aziz in which it was alleged that he was abusing his powers, using staff for personal use, and operating official vehicles that were reportedly beyond his entitlement.