Islamabad will gain a 27‑member legislative assembly and a chief executive, subject to cabinet approval before a parliamentary act can create the body.
A high‑level committee appointed by the federal government has handed over a comprehensive restructuring plan for the capital to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The proposal calls for the establishment of a locally elected assembly of 27 members and the appointment of a chief executive to oversee municipal affairs. Crucially, responsibilities for law‑and‑order, policing and master‑planning will remain under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government, preserving national oversight of security and large‑scale development projects.
Currently, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) is governed directly from Islamabad’s federal ministries through the Capital Development Authority and the ICT Administration, with limited scope for elected representation. The new framework seeks to address long‑standing demands from residents for a more participatory local government, while still allowing the centre to retain control over issues deemed critical to the capital’s strategic importance.
If the cabinet endorses the plan, the legislation will be drafted and introduced in Parliament, where it must pass both houses before becoming law. Political analysts expect robust debate, as opposition parties argue that devolving legislative powers could dilute federal authority, whereas proponents contend that a local assembly will improve service delivery, urban planning responsiveness, and democratic accountability for the city’s 2 million‑plus inhabitants.
The overhaul represents one of the most significant shifts in Islamabad’s governance since its designation as the federal capital in 1960. By granting the city its own elected body, the government aims to balance the need for local input with the imperative of maintaining cohesive national control over security and infrastructure—a model that could influence future reforms in other federally administered regions of Pakistan.