Islamabad is set to undergo a major change in its urban infrastructure, with the government planning to move electricity poles and power distribution lines underground within the next two years. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced the initiative, which aims to improve the appearance of the federal capital and modernize its electricity infrastructure.
The project is expected to be carried out in collaboration with the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO). If implemented as planned, the initiative will gradually reduce the number of visible electricity poles across the city, creating a cleaner and more organized urban environment.
Naqvi shared the announcement while speaking to the media during a visit to Barakahu on Wednesday. Alongside discussing the proposed electricity infrastructure project, the minister highlighted the government’s efforts to remove illegal encroachments and recover government-owned land in Islamabad.
The underground electricity plan represents a significant step toward improving the capital’s streetscape. In many urban areas, overhead power lines and electricity poles contribute to visual clutter and can complicate road improvement and other infrastructure projects. Moving these installations underground could help create a more streamlined cityscape, depending on the project’s design and implementation.
However, completing such a large-scale initiative within two years will require detailed planning, coordination between relevant departments, and careful management of existing electricity networks. Authorities will also need to address construction requirements, traffic disruptions, maintenance access, and the uninterrupted supply of electricity during the transition.
The minister’s announcement comes as the government continues efforts to address land encroachments in different parts of the capital. During his visit to Barakahu, Naqvi said approximately 108 kanals of government land had remained illegally occupied for around 30 years.
According to the minister, authorities are working to remove the encroachments and recover the land. The initiative is part of broader efforts to reclaim public property and improve the management of government-owned land in Islamabad.
The recovery of illegally occupied land can provide authorities with greater control over public spaces and support future development plans. However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on enforcement, legal procedures, and the government’s ability to prevent renewed encroachments.
The two announcements highlight separate but related aspects of urban management in the federal capital: modernizing essential infrastructure and restoring government land. While the underground electricity project focuses on the city’s physical appearance and utility networks, the Barakahu operation addresses long-standing issues involving public property.
For residents, the proposed removal of visible electricity poles could eventually bring noticeable changes to Islamabad’s roads and neighborhoods. The benefits will depend on how widely the underground system is introduced, how efficiently construction is completed, and whether the new infrastructure can be maintained reliably over time.
Although the government has announced a two-year target, further details about the project’s phases, total cost, specific locations, and construction schedule have not been provided in the available statement. These details will be important in determining how quickly the plan moves from an announcement to practical implementation.
The government is expected to coordinate with IESCO and other relevant authorities as work progresses. Residents will be watching for further announcements outlining the scope of the project and the areas expected to benefit first.