ISLAMABAD -UNS : A high-level government committee has proposed a major restructuring of Islamabad’s administrative system, including the establishment of a 27-member elected assembly, an elected chief executive and greater financial and administrative autonomy for the federal capital.
According to government sources, the proposed framework has been presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It seeks to introduce a governance structure resembling a provincial administrative setup while retaining federal control over certain sensitive matters.
Under the draft plan, the Islamabad Capital Territory Assembly would comprise 21 directly elected members, five seats reserved for women and one reserved for minorities. Elections would be conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Members of the proposed assembly would be subject to Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, which govern the qualifications and disqualifications of elected representatives.
A key recommendation is the creation of an elected chief executive for Islamabad. The officeholder could be designated as either mayor or chief minister and would remain accountable to the proposed ICT Assembly.
The plan also calls for the appointment of a chief secretary and four administrative secretaries. As many as 27 government departments could be established under the new administration.
Important sectors—including health, education, environmental protection and civic services—would be placed under the proposed elected government. However, law and order and Islamabad’s master planning would remain under federal control.
The committee has also recommended transferring the powers and functions of the Capital Development Authority to the new ICT government. Responsibilities currently exercised by other institutions under the Islamabad Local Government Act, 2015, could also be transferred.
Comprehensive legislation and possible constitutional and legal amendments would be required to implement the model, including changes relating to the CDA Ordinance, 1960.
The proposed government would also be authorised to formulate its own rules of business.
The committee included Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister Musadik Malik, along with senior federal officials, the Islamabad commissioner and the CDA chairman.
