The federal government has proposed a significant transformation of Islamabad’s governance structure through a new framework that could introduce an elected legislative assembly and a locally elected chief executive for the capital city. The proposal is part of the draft “ICT Governance Model” prepared by a committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal.
The draft report has been released for public consultation, allowing citizens, experts, and stakeholders to review the recommendations and provide feedback before the proposal is presented to the federal cabinet for final consideration. According to government officials, the proposed governance model aims to create a democratic, efficient, environmentally sustainable, technologically advanced, and citizen-focused capital city.
Islamabad currently operates under a governance structure dominated by federal institutions, including the Interior Ministry, Capital Development Authority (CDA), and other administrative bodies. Unlike Pakistan’s provinces, the federal capital does not have its own legislative assembly. Furthermore, local government elections have not been held in Islamabad since 2015, leaving residents without direct municipal representation for many years.
Under the proposed framework, an autonomous Islamabad Capital Territory Government would be established with administrative and financial authority. The centerpiece of the proposal is a 27-member legislative assembly consisting of 21 directly elected representatives, five reserved seats for women, and one reserved seat for minorities.
The proposed assembly would elect its own chief executive, who could serve either as a chief minister or mayor depending on the final structure approved by lawmakers. This elected leadership would be responsible for managing various local government functions and implementing policies designed to improve the quality of life for Islamabad residents.
According to the report, responsibilities such as education, healthcare, municipal services, and social welfare would be transferred to the newly established elected government. However, the federal government would continue to retain control over key areas including national security, law and order, and long-term master planning of the capital city.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that the current centralized governance system has created administrative bottlenecks that slow decision-making and limit local development. He emphasized that the proposed model would allow Islamabad to make decisions independently and address local issues more effectively without requiring approval from the national parliament for routine administrative matters.
Another major feature of the proposal is the development of an integrated Smart City framework. The report recommends establishing six specialized authorities responsible for sectors such as healthcare, education, tourism, environmental protection, social welfare, and digital governance. These institutions would work together to modernize Islamabad and improve service delivery through technology-driven solutions.
The implementation plan outlined in the report suggests a phased approach over a five-year period. Dedicated legislative, financial, and transition committees would oversee the implementation process to ensure smooth institutional reforms and effective coordination between federal and local authorities.
Supporters of the proposal argue that democratic representation in Islamabad would strengthen accountability, improve public services, and provide residents with a greater voice in local decision-making. The proposed governance reforms are also expected to support sustainable urban development and enhance Islamabad’s position as a modern capital city.
However, the reforms face significant legal and political challenges. Since the proposed changes would alter the constitutional structure of the federal capital, a constitutional amendment would be required. Such an amendment would need approval from a two-thirds majority in parliament, making political consensus essential for implementation.
Despite these challenges, government officials remain optimistic about the proposal’s future. Ahsan Iqbal has expressed confidence that political parties will support the initiative because of the growing recognition that Islamabad requires a more representative and efficient governance system.
If approved, the ICT Governance Model could become one of the most significant governance reforms in Islamabad’s history, fundamentally reshaping how the federal capital is administered and governed for future generations.
