Cabinet solves municipal boundary dispute

The Federal Cabinet has resolved a decades-old dispute over municipal boundaries between the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA), a conflict that has long caused administrative confusion and public inconvenience in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The issue stemmed from overlapping jurisdictions in key sectors, including G-13, G-14, H-13, H-15, I-12, and I-14. The RCB, established in 1849, had its boundaries formally defined in 1957, while Islamabad and the CDA were created in 1960, with their boundaries outlined in a 1963 notification. This overlap led to prolonged disputes over municipal authority, leaving residents and institutions caught between conflicting jurisdictions.

The Cabinet's decision redefines the municipal boundaries between the two authorities.

The western region of H-13, from the railway line to GT Road, and the area south of the railway line to IJP Road, will remain under the RCB's jurisdiction. Meanwhile, other sectors, including portions of G-13, G-14, H-15, I-12, and I-14, will be excluded from the RCB's municipal boundaries and fall solely under the CDA's authority.

Moreover, the newly defined RCB boundaries now include areas adjacent to Golra Road, EME College, the Dairy Farm, Chungi No. 26, and Motorway Chowk. These adjustments are intended to streamline administrative functions and provide clarity for residents and local institutions.

The resolution emphasises that these changes pertain only to municipal authority and do not alter the physical border between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The Cabinet's intervention marks a significant step toward improving coordination between the two bodies and ensuring smoother governance for the people in the affected areas.

This long-awaited decision is expected to address administrative inefficiencies and enhance public service delivery, benefiting residents and easing institutional operations in both cities.