ISLAMABAD: Islamabad could soon have its own elected government under a proposed governance overhaul that envisages a 27-Member Elected Assembly of federal capital territory, a chief executive and greater administrative and financial autonomy for the federal capital.
A high-level committee has submitted a draft framework to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, recommending the creation of a formal Islamabad Capital Territory Government with an elected legislature, according to sources familiar with the proposal.
The committee, headed by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, includes Federal Ministers Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Musadik Malik and Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, Islamabad’s National Assembly members and the Interior Secretary.
Proposed 27-Member Elected Assembly of Islamabad
Under the proposed structure, the Islamabad Capital Territory would have 27-Member Elected Assembly.
.The proposed composition includes:
- 21 general seatsto be filled through direct elections.
- Five reserved seats for women.
- One reserved seat for minorities.
The plan would link the new assembly’s constituencies to Islamabad’s existing National Assembly constituencies. Each National Assembly constituency in the capital would correspond to seven constituencies for the proposed ICT Assembly.
Elections would be conducted by the Election Commission of Pakistan, while candidates and elected members would be required to meet the constitutional qualifications and disqualifications outlined in Articles 62 and 63.
Chief Executive to Lead Islamabad Government
The proposed assembly would elect its own leader, who could be designated either as a chief minister or mayor.
The elected leader would serve as the Chief Executive of the Islamabad Capital Territory Government and would remain answerable to the elected assembly.
The proposed arrangement is intended to give Islamabad a more representative system of government while allowing many administrative matters to be handled within the territory rather than directly through the federal government.
27 Departments Proposed Under New Structure
The draft governance model proposes the creation of 27 administrative departments within the Islamabad Capital Territory Government.
Key areas, including health, education, environmental management and municipal services, would come under the jurisdiction of the new territorial government.
However, law and order and master planning would remain federal responsibilities. These functions would be handled through the relevant federal minister or potentially an ICT governor under the proposed framework.
CDA Functions Could Shift to ICT Government
A major part of the proposed reforms involves the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
According to the draft plan, most CDA responsibilities would be transferred to the new Islamabad government, with master planning excluded from the transfer.
The proposed system would also make Union Councils the only tier of local government. These councils would operate alongside the Local Government Department of the proposed ICT administration.
The change could significantly reshape the way civic and municipal affairs are managed across Islamabad.
Chief Secretary and Administrative Structure
The proposed governance arrangement would retain a senior administrative structure for the territory.
The existing Chief Commissioner would serve as the chief secretary, while four secretaries would oversee groups of departments.
The departments responsible for law and order and master planning would continue to report through the chief secretary to the federal minister or governor responsible for those functions.
New ICT Government Could Have Provincial-Style Autonomy
One of the most significant aspects of the proposal is the planned level of autonomy.
The draft envisages the Islamabad Capital Territory Government having administrative and financial autonomy broadly comparable to that of a provincial government.
The proposed institutions would operate throughout the entire Islamabad Capital Territory rather than being restricted to the city’s urban areas.
Islamabad Governance Reform to Be Legislated Through Parliament
The proposed system would reportedly be established through an Act of Parliament rather than a constitutional amendment.
The legislation is proposed to be called the Islamabad Capital Territory Government Act 2026.
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The proposed law would bring together provisions currently covered under the ICT Local Government Act 2015 and the Capital Development Authority Ordinance 1960, creating a unified legal framework for governing the capital.
What Happens Next?
The draft proposal will first be placed before the federal cabinet for consideration and approval.
If approved, legislation would subsequently be introduced in both the Senate and National Assembly.
A legislative committee would then be formed to prepare the required legislation. The proposed committee would include the Law Minister, an Islamabad MNA, the Secretary Law, Secretary Interior, CDA Chairman and other co-opted members.
If the proposed legislation clears the parliamentary process, Islamabad could move toward a new governance model featuring a 27-Member Elected Assembly , a locally accountable chief executive and expanded administrative authority.
27-Member Elected Assembly
A 27-Member Elected Assembly is being proposed for Islamabad under a new governance framework.
The assembly would include 21 directly elected members and six reserved seats.
It would elect a chief executive to oversee the Islamabad Capital Territory Government.
The proposed system aims to give Islamabad greater administrative and financial autonomy.
