January 31, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 21, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Jan 30: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Thursday inaugurated construction work on two separate projects — visa facilitation centre near Diplomatic Enclave and Culture Complex at Shakarparian.

The groundbreaking ceremony of visa facilitation centre was presided over by CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari and was also attended by other officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Lashari said the centre was meant to facilitate visa-seekers who faced difficulties regarding their food, transportation as well as temporary stay.

Due to security concerns, Diplomatic Enclave which houses about 50 foreign missions has been fenced in and the entry of general public including visa seekers had been banned without prior permission. After this restriction a bus service was launched to pick-and-drop visa seekers from a point outside the enclave near Jinnah Convention Centre to inside the relevant embassies.

After the terrorist incidents, the embassies of big countries, including the US, UK, UAE and others, are entertaining applications through couriers to avoid inconvenience to visa seekers.

Currently the CDA has been running a centre near Jinnah Convention Centre but it lacks facilities.

The CDA chief said the authority had allocated 4.5 acres land for the centre to be developed at the cost of Rs25 million.

A parking area would be developed on almost half of the total land. A waiting hall would also be built for the stay of relatives of the visa seekers as they have to leave all their baggage and relatives excluding the required documents while leaving for the embassy.

A prayer hall, changing room, cafeteria, security room, laundry shop, dispensary and telephone booths are among the other facilities to be provided at the centre.