ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has appointed MNA Ali Nawaz Awan as his special assistant on Capital Development Authority (CDA) affairs.

“Prime Minister is pleased to appoint Mr Ali Nawaz Awan as special assistant to the prime minister on Capital Development Authority Affairs with effect from November 6,” read a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Wednesday.

Before becoming MNA, Mr Awan served as the opposition leader in the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, and being a local politician, he is well aware of the issues being faced by the residents of the capital.

Sources in the CDA said Mr Awan now had the opportunity to secure funds from the government to overcome two major challenges - scarcity of water and introduction of garbage collection system throughout Islamabad. At present, out of the total 50 union councils, there is no garbage collection system in place in 32 rural union councils. There is also no proper dumping site in the city.

It is relevant to note that in 2011, the then PPP government had appointed a local leader, Faisal Sakhi Butt, as the head of a task force on CDA. However, his appointment was scrapped by the Islamabad High Court.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2018