Ask anyone who has lived in Islamabad for a while, and they’ll tell you the same thing. Every province in this country has its own elected local government, yet the capital has always been run from the top by federal officials, with residents having almost no say in how their own city works. That could finally be about to change. A new draft for the Islamabad Capital Territory Assembly has been submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and it brings something the capital has never truly had before, an elected chief executive and a proper local assembly of its own.
What the Draft Actually Proposes
The plan was put together by a special committee headed by Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Instead of going the long route of a constitutional amendment, the committee has suggested creating the assembly through a straightforward Act of Parliament. It’s simply a faster way to get things moving.
Here’s what the draft lays out:
- Seven seats for every National Assembly constituency in Islamabad
- 21 members chosen directly by public vote
- Five seats reserved for women, one for minorities
- A chief executive, likely to be titled mayor or chief minister
- 27 departments to look after city administration
Why This Matters for People Living in Islamabad
Right now, basic things like water supply, sanitation, and road maintenance fall under a patchwork of different offices, including the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Under the proposed setup, health, education, environment, and civic services would come together under one local body instead of being scattered across several. The draft also calls for handing over CDA’s powers entirely to the new Islamabad Capital Territory government, putting an end to years of confusion over who is actually responsible for what.
Law and order along with master planning would still stay with the federal government though, so that side of things remains centralised even as everyday civic matters move closer to the people they actually affect.
How the New Setup Would Function
Day to day administration would be handled by a chief secretary and four secretaries. Assembly members would fall under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, and elections would be conducted by the Election Commission of Pakistan, the same body that runs provincial elections. The elected chief executive would answer to the assembly, which means Islamabad would get financial and administrative freedom similar to what the provinces already enjoy.
What Happens Next
- The federal cabinet needs to approve the draft
- The bill goes to the Senate and National Assembly
- The CDA Ordinance 1960 will likely need amendments
- Elections follow once the law is passed
Conclusion
This draft is a genuine attempt to give Islamabad’s residents something they have been asking for a long time, a real elected voice in running their own city. If parliament gives it the green light, the Islamabad Capital Territory Assembly could finally bring the capital in line with every other province in Pakistan.
