Thegovernment of the Islamabad Capital Territory, a federal territory ofPakistan containing the capital city (Islamabad), is provided by the federalGovernment of Pakistan and by a number of territorial bodies. Article 258 of theConstitution of Pakistan stipulates that thePresident of Pakistan is responsible for establishing the government of the federal capital and theParliament of Pakistan makes laws for the territory.[1] Although the federal government retains strategic power over the territory, the day to day government is carried out by a number of bodies, which have been established over the years.
There have been occasional suggestions and demands for the creation of an Islamabad Legislative Assembly, similar to the legislatures of other capital territories and districts such as theAustralian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. In 2011, a senior federal minister, Babar Awan, suggested such an assembly might be created in the near future.[2] One possible reason for the suggestion was the haphazard system of local government in the Territory. The urban areas of west Islamabad were governed directly by the appointedCapital Development Authority (CDA), which had been established on 14 June 1960, was responsible for building the capital. The rural areas in east Islamabad were administered as a group of twelve tehsils (sub-districts), although elections had not been held for the tehsil councils for several years.[2]
In January 2023, a petition was lodged with the Islamabad High Court, calling for the creation of a territorial legislature, similar to ones in Australia and India.[3][4] The petition noted that provincial powers were exercised by the unelected Chief Commissioner and that territorial laws were made by elected representatives from across the country rather than by representatives from Islamabad.
TheIslamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) was established in 1980, and is led by a Chief Commissioner, who holds powers similar to a provincial government. TheIslamabad High Court, established in 2007 (dissolved in 2008, re-established in 2010) is the senior court of the territory and is equivalent to the four provincial high courts.
TheIslamabad Metropolitan Corporation (MCI), established in 2015, is the municipal authority and is equivalent to adistrict government, as the upper tier of the local government in the territory. The CDA has been gradually transferring many of its roles to the MCI, but the CDA continues to have some government roles.
At the most local level, there are 101union councils, though this is due to increase to 125 councils.[5]
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1980 (1980) |
| Jurisdiction | Islamabad Capital Territory |
| Headquarters | ICT Administration Complex, G-11/4,Islamabad |
| Agency executive |
|
TheIslamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) is the provincial-level civil administration and the main law and order agency of the Islamabad Capital Territory.[6] The Administration operates under Presidential Order No. 18 of 1980, which granted the equivalent powers of aprovincial government on the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad. The ICTA comprises a number of departments including theIslamabad Police, theIslamabad Traffic Police, and theIslamabad Food Authority.
Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
| Founded | 2015 (2015) |
| Leadership | |
Pir Syed Adil Gillani | |
| Seats | 151 |
| Meeting place | |
| MCI Office (Old Naval Headquarters), Sector G-6, Islamabad | |
The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) is the district-level authority for the Islamabad Capital Territory. It was established under the ICT Local Government Act 2015.[7] The corporation is headed by the Mayor of Islamabad and includes 151 other members including 101 chairmen of theunion councils (the lowest level of local government).[8]
The MCI is responsible for various activities in the Capital Territory including waste management, environmental protections, and developmental works to name a few. According to its official website,[9] the Mayor has outlined various initiatives to be taken for the development of the city including; construction of a town hall, provision of water supply fromGhazi Barotha dam, and the formation of a solid waste management company.
| Public benefit corporation overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 14 June 1960; 65 years ago (1960-06-14) |
| Headquarters | G-7/4,Islamabad |
| Public benefit corporation executive |
|
| Key document |
|
TheCapital Development Authority (CDA) is apublic benefit corporation responsible for providingmunicipal services inIslamabad Capital Territory. The CDA was established on 14 June 1960 by an executive order called thePakistan Capital Regulation. The regulation was superseded by CDA Ordinance issued on June 27, 1960.[10] The future military president, Major GeneralYahya Khan was designated as the first Chairman on 21 June 1960.[11] The CDA was tasked with developing and maintaining the new federal capital city.[12]
Since 2015, most of the CDA municipal services have been transferred to the newly created Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation. However, the CDA is still in charge ofestate management, project execution andsector developments.[13]
| Islamabad High Court | |
|---|---|
| Established | 2010 (15 years ago) (2010) |
| Appeals to | Supreme Court of Pakistan |
| Appeals from | Islamabad District Courts |
| Number of positions | 13 |
| Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court | |
| Currently | Aamer Farooq |
| Since | 11 November 2022 |
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is the senior court of the Islamabad Capital Territory, and hasappellate jurisdiction over the followingdistrict courts:[14]
Appeals from the IHC can be made to theSupreme Court of Pakistan. The current Chief Justice isAamer Farooq who took the oath on 11 November 2022.[16]
| Executive branch |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative branch | ||
| Judicial branch | ||
| Provincial governments | ||
| Territorial governments | ||
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