ISLAMABAD: A proposed draft for the formation of an Islamabad Assembly has been submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The draft was prepared by a high-level committee headed by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal.
According to sources, the proposal seeks to establish the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Assembly through an Act of Parliament rather than a constitutional amendment. It recommends allocating seven assembly seats from each National Assembly constituency in Islamabad, while providing the capital with its own legislature, chief executive and 27 administrative departments.
Direct Election of Assembly Members Proposed
Under the proposed framework, assembly members would be elected directly by the people of Islamabad. The draft recommends 21 directly elected seats, along with five reserved seats for women and one seat for minorities.
The proposed local government structure would also bring key sectors, including health, education, environment and civic services, under the jurisdiction of the local government.
Powers to Be Placed Under Unified Structure
The draft proposes retaining matters relating to law and order and Islamabad’s master planning under the federal government, while transferring other administrative responsibilities to the elected government.
It also seeks to consolidate Islamabad’s fragmented administrative system under a unified structure and reorganise the powers of various institutions, including the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
Under the proposal, all powers and functions of the CDA would be transferred to the Islamabad Capital Territory government. Responsibilities of other institutions would also be reassigned under the Local Government Act, 2015.
For the administration of Islamabad, the draft proposes the appointment of a chief secretary and four secretaries, with the four secretaries assigned responsibilities for different administrative groups and departments.
According to sources, all institutions operating in Islamabad would continue to serve the entire ICT, while federal institutions established to serve the country as a whole would also continue their operations in the capital.
The proposed legislation also calls for comprehensive and unified laws governing Islamabad’s new administrative structure, along with necessary amendments to the CDA Ordinance, 1960.
Articles 62 and 63 Proposed for Assembly Members
The draft submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif proposes that the ICT government formulate its own rules of business for running its affairs. Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution would apply to every member of the proposed assembly.
The Election Commission of Pakistan would conduct the elections, while the chief executive of Islamabad would be designated as either the mayor or chief minister and would remain accountable to the elected assembly.
According to the proposal, matters relating to law and order and master planning would remain under federal control through the relevant ministry or governor, while the elected assembly would enjoy administrative and financial autonomy similar to that of a province.
Sources said the proposed new administrative structure for Islamabad would require approval from the federal cabinet. Following approval, legislation would be introduced in both the Senate and the National Assembly.
The draft was prepared and submitted by a special high-level committee comprising Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Musadik Masood Malik, Rana Sanaullah, Talal Chaudhry, both National Assembly members from Islamabad and the interior secretary.
