ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: The process of delimitation has been started in Islamabad under which the capital will be divided into 48 union councils, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Tariq Malik told Dawn.

The official said after the completion of the delimitation process by Jan 4, 2003 an appellate authority will hear the objections and take decisions.

In the light of the people’s objections, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and the appellate authority would make some changes in delimitation, if necessary, he added.

He said after the removal of objections, the delimitation plan would be sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for approval and notification.

When contacted, Additional Director Local Government (ICT) Mian Mohammad Arkam said though the schedule for holding the Local Government elections was yet to be issued, the ICT administration had started its own arrangements for delimitation.

The official said it had been decided in principle that no sub-sector in the urban area of the capital and no revenue village would be broken for delimitation.

According to the delimitation plan made by the ICT administration, the union councils would be made on the basis of population of 20,000, he added.

He said in some sub-sectors and revenue villages, the population was stated to be over 20,000 but even then they would not be spilt. “The population of sub-sector G-9/3 is about 30,000 but it would remain a single union council. Similarly, Barakahu will remain a single unit despite that its population is over 20,000,” the official elaborated.

Responding to a question, the official hinted that the delimitation plan being prepared by the ICT administration could be changed, if the government wanted to make some amendments in it.

He said a committee comprising ADC(G), a Tehsildar, an assistant commissioner (rural) and an ADLG has been formed to supervise the delimitation process.