The federal government has approved a plan to divide Islamabad into three town corporations under a new local government system. The move, modeled on Punjab’s local government framework, will replace the existing Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) structure.
Under the proposed system, each town corporation will have one mayor and two deputy mayors. These officials will be elected indirectly by union council chairmen rather than through direct public voting. The mayors and deputy mayors will serve four-year terms.
Read More: Islamabad local government elections likely to be delayed again
Islamabad’s division will follow its three National Assembly constituencies, with each town corporation granted administrative and financial autonomy. Powers currently held by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), including municipal finance, drainage, and development projects, will gradually be transferred to the town corporations. Officials say this decentralization will improve service delivery and strengthen local governance.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a revised schedule for Islamabad’s local government elections. Union council elections are scheduled for February 15, 2026. Nomination papers were submitted by December 30, 2025, and preliminary candidate lists were published on December 31. Scrutiny of the nominations is ongoing, with appeals accepted from January 7 to 10 and decisions due by January 15.
The final list of candidates will be released on January 16, with the deadline for withdrawal set for January 17. Election symbols will be allotted on January 19, paving the way for the upcoming local government polls under the new system.
Read More: Doing business to be more expensive in Islamabad
Authorities believe the restructuring will enhance governance at the grassroots level and allow mayors greater control over development and municipal services. By granting administrative autonomy to the town corporations, the government aims to ensure faster decision-making and more efficient management of the federal capital’s affairs.