Islamabad Marks Defence Day with Kashmir Rally as Governance Overhaul Takes Shape
Islamabad observed Defence and Martyrs' Day on September 6 with an emotional caravan rally to Muzaffarabad expressing solidarity with Kashmir, while the federal capital simultaneously became the focus of a sweeping governance proposal. A high-level committee submitted a draft to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that would give Islamabad its own 27-member elected assembly, chief executive, and 27 administrative departments — provincial-level autonomy for a city that has never had its own elected legislature.
🗳️ Kashmir Caravan Rally Marks Defence and Martyrs' Day
Defence and Martyrs' Day on September 6 saw Islamabad become the launchpad for a striking act of solidarity with the people of Kashmir, as a convoy of vehicles set off from the Fatah Memorial toward Muzaffarabad under the auspices of the World Kashmir Forum. Citizens from a wide range of professional and social backgrounds joined the Kashmir Caravan car rally, which organizers described as a means to express support for Kashmiris, draw attention to the unresolved Kashmir dispute, and deliver a message of peace and national unity. Along the route, participants paused at the Martyrs' Memorial in the capital to hold special programs marking the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for Pakistan in past wars and in the struggle for Kashmir. World Kashmir Forum Secretary Finance Rafiq Suleman addressed participants at a gathering, declaring that the rally reaffirmed Pakistan's unshakeable commitment to Kashmir's freedom and the bond between Pakistan and its Kashmiri brethren. One participant praised Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for keeping Pakistan's national dignity intact, while other voices in the crowd framed the day's march as a tribute to the sons of Kashmir who paid the ultimate price for the cause of freedom. The rally captured the depth of feeling in the capital toward an issue that remains central to Pakistani national identity. [3]
🗳️ Draft Proposal Would Give Islamabad a 27-Member Elected Assembly
A high-level committee convened by the federal government submitted a detailed draft proposal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week that would establish a 27-member elected assembly for the Islamabad Capital Territory, marking a historic shift for a federal enclave that has never had its own elected legislature. Geo News obtained a copy of the draft, which was prepared under the chairmanship of Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, with participation from Federal Ministers Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Musadik Malik and Rana Sanaullah, along with Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, both National Assembly members representing Islamabad constituencies, and the Interior Secretary. The proposed assembly would consist of 27 members: 21 directly elected by the public through newly created constituencies, five seats reserved for women, and one seat for minorities. Each existing National Assembly constituency in the capital would be subdivided into seven new Islamabad assembly constituencies. The Election Commission of Pakistan would administer elections, and all members would be held to the standards set under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution. The assembly would choose its own leader — who could carry the title of chief minister or mayor — to serve as the territory's chief executive. Most functions currently managed by the Capital Development Authority would transfer to the new government, while law enforcement and master planning would remain under federal control. [5]
🗳️ ICT Government Act 2026 Envisions Province-Level Autonomy for the Capital
Pakistan Today reported that the proposed new governance structure for the Islamabad Capital Territory would grant the federal capital administrative and financial autonomy on par with a full province — a significant elevation of the territory's institutional standing. The proposal, submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by a committee chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, envisions a 27-member assembly made up of 21 directly elected seats, five reserved for women, and one designated for a minority representative. Each National Assembly constituency in Islamabad would correspond to a set of seven new Islamabad assembly constituencies, ensuring more granular local representation for residents. The draft framework, formalized as the proposed ICT Government Act 2026, must first receive approval from Cabinet before it can be introduced as legislation in Parliament. Alongside the assembly, the plan would install a formal government structure for the capital, including a chief executive and 27 administrative departments. The proposal also calls for transferring all functions currently held by the Capital Development Authority to the new Islamabad government, with the single exception of master planning, which would remain a central government responsibility. If enacted, the change would transform how Pakistan's seat of power is governed, giving its residents a form of elected local self-government with financial and administrative independence they have never previously enjoyed. [7]
Sources: [3] RADIO PAKISTAN · [5] Geo News · [7] Pakistan Today