ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORTER
A delegation of Islamabad’s honourable parliamentarians, including Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz and Member of the National Assembly Anjum Aqeel Khan, met with Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa at the CDA headquarters.
During the meeting, issues of citizens of Islamabad related to Islamabad’s urban and rural areas and their resolution were discussed.
CDA board members and other senior officials from relevant wings of CDA were also present.
Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa welcomed the honorable parliamentarians and emphasized the importance of effective coordination in resolving the problems faced by Islamabad’s residents of rural and urban areas. He said that the role of Islamabad’s parliamentarians is important in the ongoing development projects and the progress of both urban and rural areas.
The honorable parliamentarians appreciated CDA’s various initiatives under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Chairman CDA for the development, beautification and welfare of Islamabad’s citizens and assured their full cooperation. They also presented their suggestions for addressing the issues faced by the urban and rural citizen of Islamabad.
Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that all possible efforts would be made to ensure the provision of funds for completing ongoing projects as per law. He also directed the relevant CDA officers to expedite work on development projects after completion of all codal formalities.
The meeting also discussed the beautification and horticulture work on Islamabad Expressway’s green belts as well as the provision of sports facilities under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In line with the direction of Chairman CDA the DG Environment was appointed as the focal person for optimizing the use of existing and new parks, green belts and open spaces.
The meeting further deliberated on the construction and beautification of various highways in Islamabad, the installation of permanent and decorative lights in various areas, the upgrading of existing parks and the allocation of land for new parks. Additionally, discussions were held on the upgrading of various highways and the construction of new highways and underpasses.
Chairman CDA apprised the delegation on the recent establishment of the Islamabad Water Authority to resolve water and sewage-related issues. Similarly, a decision was made to allocate land for new graveyards in Islamabad, with suitable land to be identified for this purpose.
The honorable parliamentarians also emphasized the effectiveness of electric buses in Islamabad and called for expanding their routes. Chairman CDA assured that existing routes would be reviewed, and new routes would be introduced based on citizens’ travel needs.
The meeting also included a briefing on the crackdown against illegal constructions and encroachments in Islamabad. Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that CDA Enforcement and ICT are conducting indiscriminate operations against encroachments to make Islamabad more beautiful and environmentally friendly by planting trees.
The meeting also praised the implementation of a cashless system in CDA. Chairman CDA said that gradual steps are being taken to ensure a paperless and cashless system in CDA, with comprehensive measures being adopted in this regard.
It was decided in the meeting to establish a follow-up mechanism to regularly review progress in resolving the issues faced by the residents of Islamabad’s urban and rural areas, ensuring timely solutions to all relevant problems.
