What is the proposed new administrative model for Islamabad?

Amid an ongoing debate over the creation of new provinces and administrative units in the country, a draft proposing a new administrative model for the federal capital, Islamabad, has been presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The proposed draft recommends placing Islamabad under an empowered local government and giving its citizens an elected assembly and an elected chief executive. Under the proposed system, administrative powers in the capital would be brought under a unified local government structure. According to the proposed administrative model, a 27-member Islamabad Assembly would be established. Of the total seats, 21 members would be directly elected by the public, while five seats would be reserved for women and one for minorities. The draft also proposes allocating seven seats in the Islamabad Assembly from each National Assembly constituency in the capital. For Islamabad, the draft recommends a chief executive who could hold the position of either chief minister or mayor. The elected chief executive would be accountable to the assembly, while most administrative affairs of Islamabad would be managed through the elected government. The proposed system includes the establishment of 27 administrative departments under the Islamabad government. Health, education, environment, municipal services and other key sectors would be brought under the jurisdiction of the local government. The draft also proposes granting Islamabad administrative and financial autonomy similar to that of a province. The local government would also be empowered to formulate its own rules of business for running its affairs. Under the proposed structure, a chief secretary and four secretaries would be appointed to oversee Islamabad's administrative affairs. The four secretaries would be assigned responsibilities for different administrative groups and departments. Major changes have also been proposed regarding the powers and functions of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). According to the draft, all powers and functions of the CDA would be transferred to the Islamabad local government. Other institutions operating under the Local Government Act would also be brought under the local government. However, the federal government would retain control over law and order and Islamabad's master planning. The draft proposes that these matters be handled through a federal ministry or the governor. Under the proposed model, elections for the Islamabad Assembly would be conducted by the Election Commission, while federal institutions established to serve the entire country would continue to perform their functions in the capital. The draft also recommends the creation of a comprehensive legal framework for Islamabad and legislation to implement the proposed new administrative system. The proposed administrative framework for the future of Islamabad was presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday by a high-level special committee headed by Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also a member of the committee, while Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister Musadik Masood Malik also contributed to the preparation of the proposed model. The final decision on the proposed draft will now be taken by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.