The federal government has suspended the Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz for 90 days 'for fair conduct of inquiry', said a notification of Ministry of Interior on Sunday.

Through the notification, Aziz, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), 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)".

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 96 sub-section (3) of the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Act, 2015 (X of 2015), the Federal Government is pleased to place Sheikh Ansar Aziz, Mayor, Metropolitan Corporation for Islamabad Capital Territory under suspension 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)," stated the notification undersigned by Irfan Anjum, joint secretary of Interior.

The federal cabinet has earlier approved a summary of the Islamabad mayor's suspension through circulation in order to conduct a free and transparent inquiry against him.

In February, a reference was filed in Local Government Commission headed by PTI lawmaker from Islamabad Ali Nawaz Awan and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on CDA Affairs against the Islamabad Mayor in which it was alleged that he was abusing his powers, using staff for personal use, and using official vehicles that were reportedly beyond his entitlement.

The reference was filed by Humayun Akhtar, a member of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the acting Chief Metropolitan Officer (CMO). Aziz, however, had challenged the reference through a petition in Islamabad High Court, claiming the accusations against him were politically motivated.