November 12, 2003	Wednesday	Ramazan 16, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 11: The government has decided to hold Local Government (LG) elections in Islamabad with the beginning of next calender year, said the interior minister, Faisal Saleh Hayat, here on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters at an Iftar function, he said the government had finally decided that the LG polls in the Capital would be held simultaneously with the polls in Cantonment areas.

In reply to a question about some reservations raised by armed forces on holding LG polls in Cantonment areas, he said despite any reservation the polls in Cantonment areas would be held at any cost.

The minister dispelled the impression that his ministry was reluctant to hold LG polls in Islamabad, saying that it was not creating hurdles in way of LG polls.

Mr Hayat said the directorate of Military Lands and Cantonments was redrafting a plan of LG elections in Cantonment areas, which was the main reason behind delay in LG polls in Islamabad.

He said the newly-appointed chief commissioner and deputy commissioner have been directed to make necessary arrangements for holding the elections.

To a question, he said the appointment of Kamran Lashari as the CDA chairman would bring change in the Capital in terms of beautification.

He said top officials in the CDA would be reshuffled in near future.

“He has already changed some senior official in the authority for their negligence and involvement in corrupt practices.”

“There is a big mafia active in the CDA which has badly affected the authority’s performance,” he said.

Talking about land compensation cases, he said, some 2000 acres of the CDA land was under illegal occupation. “I have ordered the CDA chairman to get vacate the land otherwise the encroachment could increase to 3,000 acres in next five years,” he added.

He said action would be taken on all pending inquires initiated in the Capital against corrupt officials.

NATIONAL PRESS CLUB: Responding to an idea floated by the PML-Q leader, Kabir Ali Wasti on behalf of journalists, the interior minister said a national press club would be established in the capital.

The minister directed the CDA chairman, Kamran Lashari, to prepare a feasibility report in this regard.

The minister asked the general secretary of All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation (APNEC), Pervez Shaukat, to coordinate with the CDA administration in connection with the establishment of the club.