ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday approved a development package worth Rs10 billion for the capital’s rural areas.

The decision was taken in a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held to review progress on the ongoing development projects in the federal capital.

The meeting was also attended by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to Prime Minister Ahad Cheema, Special Assistant to Prime Minister M. Tariq Bajwa, former MNAs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Anjum Aqeel and MNA Hanif Abbasi.

Normally, the CDA focuses on the urban areas while the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration’s local government department carries out development work in rural areas, mainly through the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

However, this time around, the CDA will be focusing on the rural areas as well.

Fund to be used on solid waste management projects, sewerage system, roads, schemes related to public transport

The civic body had recently shown its willingness to carry out development work in the rural areas, and a proposal in this regard was taken up by the CDA’s Development Working Party (DWP). However, the matter was deferred until the federal government gave its input. The prime minister finally gave a go-ahead to the CDA to initiate development work in the rural areas.

According to a press release issued by the PM Office, when Prime Minister Sharif asked about the rural areas during a progress review meeting, he was informed that the CDA had earmarked Rs10 billion for rural areas.

It said the prime minister was told that the fund would be utilised on solid waste management projects, sewerage system, construction of roads, repair work and on schemes related to public transport.

Talking about the ongoing projects, PM Sharif directed the CDA to work round the clock to ensure timely completion of all projects. He also ordered third party validation of all projects and completion of the ongoing mega Bhara Kahu bypass project at the earliest.

PM Sharif said that Islamabad’s public transport bus service should be launched soon and an early solution should be found soon to resolve parking issues.

He also directed the CDA to complete the projects for overseas Pakistanis as soon as possible.

Earlier, the prime minister was briefed about the ongoing and upcoming development projects of the CDA. The authority’s chairman, Noorul Amin Mengal, told the prime minster that a few days ago, the CDA board had approved construction of five parking plazas and pre-qualification process of construction firms had been started.

PM Sharif was also told that the CDA was in the process of finalising an agreement with a government-owned company for hiring over 150 buses and the civic agency’s board had given a go-ahead in this regard.

The CDA chief told the meeting that after signing the agreement, buses would be plied on the 13 new routes within 90 days. He also briefed the meeting about the CDA’s project for construction of the first-ever national bus terminal.

He said over 200,000 people were availing the bus service on a daily basis and in the coming days, and would further benefit after buses begin operation on the 13 new routes.

Mr Mengal told the meeting that the CDA had expedited all ongoing projects, including I.J. Principal Road, which would be completed by March 23.

He also briefed the meeting about the progress on ongoing expansion work of the Islamabad Expressway and 11th Avenue project.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2023