ISLAMABAD: Decisions affecting Islamabad should be made by its local residents rather than outsiders, said Malaika Raza, General Secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Human Rights Cell.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Raza emphasized that it is crucial to include the voices of Islamabad's native communities when addressing city-specific issues. She expressed skepticism about the ability of individuals unfamiliar with the city to understand its local challenges, criticizing those who rely on digital maps for navigation as being disconnected from the real experiences of native families.

Raza stressed that effective governance in Islamabad requires input from those with a deep understanding of its unique needs and conditions. She urged officials from other regions who come to Islamabad for governmental roles to respect and incorporate the insights of local residents.

She further highlighted that Islamabad's identity is not solely defined by its administrative functions but also by the families who have long been integral to the city's fabric. She questioned the accountability of governance models designed by those who do not reside permanently in the city and suggested that real change necessitates sustained local involvement.

Concluding her remarks, Raza reiterated that successful governance in Islamabad hinges on the participation and consultation of its residents. She asserted that future governance decisions would require the involvement of the city's native population, rejecting externally imposed solutions.