ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan was on Thursday informed that the land record of Islamabad would be computerised in six months as updating of the record was in progress.

The prime minister chaired a meeting to get a briefing from city managers on law and order, development projects, health and education initiatives in the capital city.

The meeting was attended by Planning Minister Asad Umar, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on CDA Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan, MNA Raja Khurram Nawaz, Chief Commissioner and CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed, Inspector General of Police Amir Zulfiqar Khan and others.

The chief commissioner briefed the prime minister about the initiatives being taken by the capital administration and the CDA.

He said in next six months the land record of Islamabad would be computerised, adding the process to update the land record (maintaining jama bandis) was underway and jama bandis of 28 Mouzas (real estate) had been completed.

Process to update land record of 28 mouzas underway

It may be noted that in the past efforts were also made to computerise the land record but without any progress.

The chief commissioner, however, told the prime minister that work was in progress to update the remaining Mouzas after which the record would be made available online.

He said the Islamabad capital Territory (ICT) had also significantly improved its revenue and all subordinate offices were being monitored through CCTV cameras to improve governance and stop corrupt practices.

The premier was also informed that a biometric system had been introduced for land transfer process and for the first time the deputy commissioner had fixed the rate of land in rural area to determine its value for taxation. The meeting was told that after introduction of the rates it would be difficult for anyone to avoid the tax.

The prime minister was informed by SAPM Ali Nawaz and the CDA chairman that various development projects such as construction of G-7, G-8 underpass, Burma Bridge, Attaturk Avenue and expansion of CDA Hospital were under progress.

Talking about the reform initiatives at the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the prime minister said these initiatives should be aimed at providing best civic facilities to the citizens besides contributing to economic well-being of the residents.The education minister briefed the prime minister about the initiatives being taken by his ministry to bring an improvement in the education sector.

The adviser on CDA affairs highlighted the status of rural health centres in Islamabad.

The prime minister directed immediate completion of the process for identification of required resources for education and health sectors to make the existing structures vibrant.

The IGP briefed the prime minister about law and order situation and said crime rate in the capital city saw a significant decrease of 18pc in 2019. He said Islamabad was now the 66th safest cities of the world. Various initiatives have been taken to control crime and provide speedy relief to citizens, he added.

Appreciating the improved law and order situation, the prime minister directed for more improvement and said the capital should be a model city from all aspects. He also stressed the need to ensure protection to the weak sections of society.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2020