ISLAMABAD: If local government elections take place in Islamabad in February 2026, it will mark the second time the federal capital elects the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) since 2015. The MCI operates as the secondary level of governance within the dual-tier system established under the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Act, 2015 (ICTLGA).
Currently, in the absence of an elected local government, the federal government has appointed the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad as the administrator. This appointment, according to Section 29(3) of the ICTLGA, fills the administrative gap left since the previous MCI’s term ended in February 2021. The appointed administrator’s term is restricted to six months, yet successive appointments have continued to maintain governance.
The distinction between the roles of the MCI and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is significant. Historically, the CDA managed most municipal functions in Islamabad. However, the enactment of ICTLGA shifted these responsibilities to the MCI, repealing Section 15-A of the CDA Ordinance, 1969. Despite this transfer, the CDA retains control over master planning and estate management.
The statutory framework allows the CDA to involve local governments in development schemes. However, this involvement remains discretionary under the CDA Ordinance. Both entities have overlapping responsibilities, particularly concerning markets, road maintenance, water supply, and building control, though MCI’s functions are subject to the CDA Ordinance.
The Third Schedule of the ICTLGA outlines the MCI’s functions, which include enforcing municipal laws and managing urban infrastructure. Responsibilities cover water management, sewage treatment, waste management, street lighting, and emergency response. The MCI also oversees regulatory functions related to hazardous materials and public services associated with them.
Unlike Union Councils, the MCI possesses broader taxation powers under the ICTLGA, subject to federal approval. These powers include levying taxes and fees on water rates, building plans, land use changes, and market activities, among others. The MCI is also tasked with maintaining a database and providing public access to information, although specific details about the information are not defined in the Act.
As the federal capital approaches potential elections, the roles and responsibilities of the MCI and CDA continue to shape the governance landscape in Islamabad, highlighting the complexity of local government functions and inter-agency collaboration.