Islamabad Set for New Administrative Model with Own Assembly and Chief Executive

Amid an ongoing national debate over the creation of new provinces and administrative units, significant progress has been made toward placing Islamabad under a new administrative model. A high-level special committee has submitted a proposed draft outlining a new governance structure for the federal capital to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, including its own assembly, chief executive and 27 administrative departments.

Under the proposed framework, Islamabad would have a 27-member assembly, with 21 members directly elected by the public. 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 also recommends establishing the office of chief executive for the capital, with either a chief minister or mayor proposed as the head of the new local government structure.

The proposed model would place 27 administrative departments under the Islamabad government, covering key sectors including health, education, environment and municipal services. The plan represents a major proposed restructuring of governance in the federal capital and could serve as an important development in the wider discussion over new administrative units and more locally accountable governance across the country.