ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: The Senate Standing Committee on Sports on Thursday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to suspend work on road projects that threaten to wipe out several playgrounds. Following a meeting attended by sports officials and chairman of CDA Kamran Lashari, a sub-committee headed by Senator Saeed Siddiqui was constituted.

The committee will be required to submit a report and suggest a solution to a matter that has caused great concern among the Islamabad sporting fraternity.

The road projects, if allowed to go ahead will affect cricket, hockey and football grounds besides tennis courts.

Lashari was criticised by the president of Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA), Shakil Shaikh for ignoring the sentiments of players and proceeding with his development plans.

The CDA chief explained that the expansion was being undertaken keeping in view the increasing traffic load and that everything was being done in line with the Master Plan.

While the senators underlined the need for state of the art grounds in Islamabad, Lashari briefed the house on the relocation plans for the affected facilities.

Senator Muhammad Enver Baig told Lashari to protect the interests of the players and not the contractors.

The sports managers were also given an opportunity to express their views and were assured of a viable solution to the problem.

Other members of the sub-committee are Enver Baig, Fauzia Fakharuz Zaman Khan and Dr Shahzad Waseem.