The government has accelerated preparations to introduce a new administrative model for Islamabad as debate continues over the creation of new provinces and administrative units in the country.
A proposed new administrative framework for the federal capital has been presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by a high-level special committee. Under the draft, a 27-member Islamabad Assembly has been proposed, with the capital to have its own assembly, chief executive and 27 administrative departments.
The proposal calls for 21 assembly members to be elected directly by voters. Seven seats have been proposed from each National Assembly constituency in Islamabad, while five seats would be reserved for women and one for minorities.
The draft proposes that the head of the Islamabad government hold the office of chief minister or mayor. The capital’s 27 administrative departments would come under the Islamabad government.
Health, education, environmental affairs and civic services would fall under the local government, while law, public order and master planning would remain with the federal government.
The powers of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other institutions are also being reviewed.
According to the proposed framework, the Election Commission would be responsible for conducting Islamabad Assembly elections. Matters relating to law and order and master planning would be handled by the federal ministry or governor.
The Islamabad Assembly would have administrative and financial autonomy on the lines of a provincial government.
The draft also recommends transferring all powers and functions of the CDA to the Islamabad local government. Other institutions working under the Local Government Act would also be transferred to the local government.
The Islamabad local government would make its own rules of business to manage its affairs.
The committee has recommended appointing a chief secretary and four secretaries to run Islamabad’s administrative affairs. The four secretaries would be given responsibility for different administrative groups and departments.
Federal institutions established to serve the whole country would continue to operate in Islamabad.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi were members of the high-level special committee. Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister Musadik Malik also played a role in preparing the proposed model۔
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