ISLAMABAD: The restructured commission formed by the federal cabinet to revise the master plan of Islamabad on Thursday decided to complete the task within six months.

The commission held a meeting at the committee rooms of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which was attended by members (virtually or physically), under the convenership of CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed.

The commission formed eight independent committees which have powers to engage consultants and other experts to come up with solutions to problems being faced by the city and its residents.

“Today eight committees have been formed which will complete their works within six months,” said Zafar Iqbal Zafar, who is the secretary of the commission.

Speaking to Dawn, he said before revising the master plan, the commission will also get a study carried out on 3,600 square kilometres adjacent areas such as some tehsils of Rawalpindi, Haripur.

“The commission is tasked with revising the blueprint of Islamabad and within the deadline of six month it will complete the task,” he said.

A member of the commission told Dawn that the committees included the regional planning and transport accessibility committee, population, urban issues, legal, environment and integrated approach committees.

The committees will be headed by architect Nayyar Ali Dada, Khurram Farid Bargatt, Humaira Qasim, Nayyab Hassan Gardezi, Sikander Anjum and Asma Khalil. Commission member Murad Jamil will coordinate with all committees.

Another member said the commission had decided that instead of directly for hiring a consultant firm for overall revision, the above mentioned committees of experts will revise the master plan and if a need arises the committees have the power to engage a consultant and experts.

He said all the commission members are experts in their field and have full ability to do the work on their own. For example, if the environment committee needs help of consultants/experts, it can request the Ministry of Climate Change for assistance, the member said.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2021