The Islamabad branch of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has shown strong support for Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s proposal to elevate Islamabad to a provincial status. This endorsement aligns with longstanding demands from the capital’s residents.
Calls for Provincial Recognition
Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, the Chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior and a local MNA from Islamabad, expressed gratitude towards the Interior Minister for advocating this change. He highlighted that the residents of Islamabad contribute significantly to taxes yet receive no benefits from the NFC Award, a situation deemed unfair by many.
Mr. Nawaz expressed optimism about the establishment of a provincial assembly in Islamabad, which he believes is crucial for addressing the region’s issues effectively. He criticized the current system where urban development relies on land sales by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), while rural areas depend on federal government packages that often do not materialize.
Potential Impact on Local Elections
The push for provincial status could delay local government elections, as it may necessitate changes to existing laws and district boundaries. Mr. Nawaz mentioned that despite the collection of significant taxes, like the Rs20 billion from Excise and Taxation, residents see little return in terms of local governance benefits.
He also noted that without provincial status, the federal government’s involvement in local issues remains inefficient. The proposal suggests a 27-member assembly for Islamabad, with a mix of directly elected and reserved seats, including positions for women and minorities.
Administrative Changes and Delays
The proposed changes would see a shift in administrative roles, including the replacement of the chief commissioner with a chief secretary. However, law and order, along with master planning, would remain federal responsibilities.
These developments might lead to further delays in local elections, as new legislation and amendments to existing acts, like the CDA Ordinance, would be required. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had planned to finalize constituency details by October 2026, but these proposals could push back the timeline.
Challenges in Conducting Elections
Since the last local government’s term ended in February 2021, elections have faced continuous postponements. The federal government has often cited the need to strengthen the Local Government Act as a reason for delays.
Earlier in the year, an ordinance introduced significant changes to the Local Government Act 2015, replacing the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad with three town corporations and extending the powers and tenure of government-appointed administrators. This ordinance also allowed these administrators to levy taxes and charges until new elections could be held.
Despite these challenges, former PML-N deputy mayor Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi denied claims that the government was avoiding elections out of fear of losing, insisting that the changes were intended to improve local governance.
