Islamabad local governance restructured ahead of 2026 elections

Islamabad: The federal government has approved a plan to restructure Islamabad’s local governance by dividing the capital into three town corporations, replacing the existing Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) system. The move is modeled on Punjab’s local government framework and aims to improve service delivery and strengthen administrative efficiency.

Under the new system, each town corporation will have one mayor and two deputy mayors, elected indirectly by union council chairmen for four-year terms. The three town corporations will correspond to Islamabad’s National Assembly constituencies, and each will enjoy 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.

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Officials said the decentralization is intended to allow mayors greater control over development projects and municipal services, ensuring faster decision-making and more efficient management of the federal capital’s affairs.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a revised schedule for Islamabad’s local government elections. Union council elections are set for February 15, 2026. Nomination papers were submitted by December 30, 2025, with preliminary candidate lists published on December 31. The scrutiny of 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, and the deadline for withdrawals is set for January 17. Election symbols will be allotted on January 19.

Authorities say the restructuring and upcoming elections are designed to enhance governance at the grassroots level and ensure that Islamabad’s development and municipal services are managed more effectively.