ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers were informed on Wednesday that G-10 Ladies Bazaar was set up without any planning and it was established on the right of way of 11th Avenue and now it will be built at the new site.

The bazaar, without any feasibility study and planning, was constructed on the right of way of 11th Avenue. Despite spending over Rs70 million, the bazaar was not made functional and now Capital Development Authority (CDA) is all set to start construction of 11th Avenue.

The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) a couple of years ago, setup a Ladies Bazaar in sector G-10 and spent Rs70 million on it. Construction of this bazaar was announced in September 2021 by then interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. Instead of the directorate concerned, MCI’s sports directorate constructed it and was completed in February 2022.

Sources also claimed that MCI skipped the tendering process in most of the work and the same was conducted through quotations.

Rs70m spent on its construction on right of way without any study, planning

The quotation work up to Rs500,000 is allowed for carrying out emergency work, but here MCI and CDA, conducted work worth billions of rupees through quotations skipping the open tendering process.

Some officials said that most of the work of the said bazaar was also carried out through quotations and this issue warrants proper inquiry.

The issue of not making the bazaar functional was raised in National Assembly by MNA Shagufta Jumani. In response to her question, the Ministry of Interior, in a written reply told the house: “Yes women bazaar was established in G-10, but not made functional yet due to technical issues. Women bazaar comes under the right of way of 11th avenue that’s why it’s not being made functional yet.”

The ministry to a question about opening of this bazaar said this issue is under discussion with the CDA’s planning wing. To a question regarding total expenditure, the ministry told the house that expenditure incurred for establishment of this bazaar is Rs70.8 million and this bazaar has 98 stalls with two tuck shops, kids play area and seven washrooms. The ministry also stated that rent of this bazaar has not been finalised yet.

Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan, who was responding on behalf of the interior ministry, told the house that this bazaar was started by the previous government. He said that without any study and planning, this bazaar was started and it was setup in the right of way of 11th avenue and it was started without getting any input from the planning wing of the CDA.

Due to the said reasons this bazaar could not be made functional, however, now, it will be setup at a new site. “Study is being conducted and after proper planning new site will be identified, we have also made arrangements for funds for this project. We will setup ladies bazaar and it will not be mere announcement but we will make it functional soon,” he said.

MNA Shagufta Jumani appreciated Mr Shahadat Awan for speaking the truth and demanded an inquiry against those, who started the project without planning and wasted millions of rupees of the government on this project.

The minister assured her that action will be taken against those who allegedly misused funds on this project. MNA Rohale Asghar also expressed his concerns over prolonged delay in the project.

He said that though previous government was responsible for this project, it was the responsibility of the current government to resolve the issue of this bazaar.

To this, Mr Awan said that with the new budgetary year, work will be started for the bazaar. During question hour, the house also discussed fraud committed by various housing societies with citizens and sewerage and landfill site issues of Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2023