Despite delay in polls: Local governance system taking shape in capital

Body identifies 49 wings, directorates of CDA, ICT admin for devolution.

ISLAMABAD: Even though the local bodies’ elections in the capital have been postponed for the time being, a committee mandated to ensure smooth transition of functions and manpower from the local administration and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to the proposed local government has almost completed its task.

The committee has identified some 49 wings and directorates of the capital’s civic agency and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration which will either be devolved fully or partially to the 79 Union Councils and a Metropolitan Corporation — a two tier governance system which will be introduced under the proposed local government.

Besides, the services of nearly 10,000 employees of the CDA and the ICT Administration — who are currently present on strength of these 49 directorates — will also be surrendered to the local government.



Of the 47, some eight directorates of the CDA including sanitation, sports and culture, civic management, water and sewerage, zoo and wildlife and bulk water supply, among others, will be fully devolved to the proposed Metropolitan Corporation (MC). While 19 directorates, including administration, human resource, public relations, law and information technology, among others will be partially devolved to the corporation.

Similarly, as many as seven directorates including roads and markets maintenance, building control, enforcement and environment protection, among others will be fully devolved to the union councils (UC). Eleven directorates including revenue, finance, accounts and municipal administration, among others will be partially devolved to both UCs and the MC.

Some functions of the directorates which will be partially devolved either to MC or UCs will rest with the CDA.

Two directorates of the ICT Administration including rural development department, and UCs under ICT LGO 1979 will be fully devolved to the local government.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister Barrister Zafarullah Khan, who is heading the committee finalising the process of sharing of assets and liabilities between the departments [ICT and CDA] and local government, told The Express Tribune that the committee had held preparatory meetings to ensure smooth transition.

“We have been awaiting enactment of the local government law. As soon it will be done the process of shifting of assets and liabilities will be initiated forthwith,” Khan said, adding that homework to this effect had almost been completed.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2015.