Islamabad set for major administrative overhaul, boundaries may expand

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has reportedly completed preparations for introducing a new administrative model for Islamabad, with plans to grant the federal capital a special administrative status and potentially expand its geographical boundaries.

According to government sources, a proposal is under consideration to transform Islamabad into a special administrative unit or model governance entity, with an elected mayor serving as its administrative head.

Under the proposed arrangement, the new administrative unit could have between 25 and 30 elected members, creating a dedicated governance structure for managing the capital’s affairs.

The proposed changes go beyond administrative restructuring, as the government is also considering revising Islamabad’s geographical boundaries and incorporating several adjoining areas into the federal capital.

Sources said proposals include adding parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Haripur district, certain areas of Rawalpindi and localities falling within National Assembly constituency NA-51 in Murree district.

If approved, the proposed expansion could significantly reshape Islamabad’s administrative landscape and bring neighbouring territories under a unified governance framework.

The development is part of broader discussions about establishing a more effective administrative structure for the federal capital, although details of the proposed model and its implementation timeline have not yet been officially announced.

Meanwhile, government sources clarified that an earlier proposal to bring Gwadar or other port cities under Islamabad’s administrative framework has been abandoned.

The latest plan focuses on restructuring the capital and its surrounding areas rather than incorporating distant coastal regions.

The proposal is expected to attract attention because of its potential implications for local governance, administrative boundaries and representation of the affected areas.