Farhan Qureshi 
A high-level committee headed by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Islamabad governance reform, aimed at revamping the governance structure of the federal capital, it was learnt on Thursday. The plan provides for an elected assembly in the Islamabad Capital Territory and greater administrative and financial autonomy, but the federal capital will keep its special constitutional status.
The proposal is a major discussion about representation and governance in the capital of Pakistan. At the same time, the proposed framework could bring decision-making closer to residents by transferring several local responsibilities to elected representatives, while creating clearer political accountability for essential civic services.
Islamabad May Get 27-Member Elected Assembly
Under the proposed governance structure, a 27-member Islamabad Capital Territory Assembly would be set up. Twenty-one members will be directly elected by voters, and there will be six reserved seats to increase representation, including five for women and one for minorities.
An elected assembly could give residents of Islamabad a more direct say in decisions about education, health, environmental management and civic services. The suggested structure would also create a formal political body in which local priorities could be discussed and dealt with. An elected capital government could provide more identifiable authority on issues affecting residents, rather than a host of responsibilities scattered among different layers of bureaucracy.
The proposed executive model would also provide Islamabad with a political structure capable of devising policies tailored to local needs. But the success of implementation would, however, depend on clear delimitation of responsibilities between the new administration and federal institutions.
Elected Administration Could Move Local Services
Under the proposed division of powers, the elected capital administration would have jurisdiction over education, health, environmental affairs and civic services. The change may help to better customise policies to the specific demographic, environmental and infrastructure needs of Islamabad.
Local control may also allow faster reactions to problems concerning sanitation, municipal development, public facilities and environmental protection. Dedicated departments could allow the administration to set clearer targets of performance and better coordinate across key services.
It is understood that the framework will have 27 separate departments for local responsibility. This departmental setup may help Islamabad to have a more organised administration and also bring more clarity on which institution is responsible for providing what services.
Federal Government To Retain Key Strategic Powers
The proposed autonomy would not change Islamabad’s status as the federal capital of Pakistan. Law and order would remain a federal responsibility, and the master planning for the city would continue to involve federal authorities.
This split is intended to balance the local democratic administration with the national duties that come with the status of Islamabad as the seat of the federal government of Pakistan. Federal control over strategic issues may help to protect national administrative and security needs.
At the same time, there would have to be a clear delineation of federal and local responsibilities. Good coordination can avoid overlapping authority and allow both levels of government to function well while serving different institutional priorities.
Financial Independence May Alter Islamabad Governance
Another important feature of the proposed governance model is greater financial autonomy. An administration responsible for local services would need predictable resources to manage education, health care, environmental programs, municipal infrastructure and other public responsibilities.
If financially independent, the elected government in Islamabad might be able to develop longer-term local priorities, instead of relying on decisions made through federal administrative structures. But there would still be a requirement for strong financial controls to ensure public funds are used transparently and effectively.
For Pakistan, the proposal could thus become an opportunity to explore how federal capitals can balance local accountability and national responsibilities. The proposed reforms would also need to be underpinned by a sustainable financial framework to ensure that they deliver real improvements in public services.
Islamabad’s Reform Could Broaden Democratic Access
The proposed changes could be a major step in the evolution of governance in Pakistan’s capital. An elected assembly and representative executive and locally run departments could give residents more say over things that impact their daily life directly.
The proposed political structure may also be able to increase representation by adding reserved seats for women and minorities. Such provisions could further develop the principle that governance should mirror the diversity of the population of the capital.
However, the proposal would need to be carefully planned legally, administratively and financially if it is to succeed. However, the proposed model would require clear constitutional and legislative arrangements, effective coordination with federal institutions and transparent implementation, before it could realise its full potential. Islamabad’s proposed governance reform offers a chance to modernise Pakistan’s capital’s administrative structure while maintaining its role as the seat of the national government.
