Rawalpindi Finalizes New Local Government Structure as Preparations for Municipal Elections Intensify

Rawat (Pothwar.com — By Ikram-ul-Haq Qureshi, March 12, 2026): Preparations for the upcoming local government elections in Rawalpindi district have entered their final and most active phase as authorities finalize a new administrative structure for municipal governance across the district.

According to official details, Rawalpindi district has now been reorganized into 17 local government institutions under the new local government framework. As part of the restructuring, the city of Rawalpindi has been divided into two major municipal entities, each headed by a mayor. Under this arrangement, the city will have two mayors and four deputy mayors.

In addition to the new administrative setup, authorities have also introduced two new tehsil councils and one additional municipal committee, significantly expanding the local governance system in the district. The number of urban union councils has been increased from 82 to 125, reflecting the rapid population growth and expanding urban boundaries of Rawalpindi.

Under the revised structure, the city has been divided into Rawal Town Corporation and Pothohar Town Corporation. Meanwhile, two new administrative units—Tehsil Council Sadar Rawalpindi and Tehsil Council Cantt—have been established to further streamline governance and service delivery.

The town-level distribution of union councils has also been revised. Rawal Town, which previously had 46 union councils, will now have 41 union councils, while Pothohar Town will have 33 union councils, reduced from its earlier count of 36.

Furthermore, the newly established Tehsil Sadr Rawalpindi will consist of 22 union councils, while Tehsil Cantt will include 29 union councils.

In another major development, Daultala has been granted the status of a new Municipal Committee, expanding the administrative network in rural and semi-urban areas of the district.

Under the new system, Rawalpindi district will comprise two Town Corporations, five Municipal Committees, six Tehsil Councils, and four Cantonment Boards.

At the provincial level, the new local government structure across Punjab includes 439 local government institutions and a total of 6,637 union councils. Out of these, 297 institutions fall under urban local governments, which will collectively oversee 2,496 union councils.

The provincial structure also includes 28 Town Corporations with 1,010 union councils, and 34 Municipal Corporations comprising 573 union councils.

In a significant administrative change, the District Council Rawalpindi, along with all 35 district councils across Punjab, has been abolished under the new local government framework.

Meanwhile, the popular hill station Murree, often referred to as the Queen of the Hills, has been separated from Rawalpindi and designated as an independent local government unit, marking a major shift in the administrative boundaries of the region.

Officials say the new structure aims to improve governance, enhance administrative efficiency, and ensure better service delivery to residents ahead of the upcoming local government elections.