ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction at the performance of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and asked it to provide civic utilities to the residents, making Islamabad a real model city

According to sources in the Prime Minister’s House, Mr Gilani made the remarks during a meeting held here to review the authority’s overall performance and its ongoing and proposed development projects.

The prime minister directed the civic agency to make concerted efforts to overcome water shortage in the capital territory, meet the rising housing demand, and ensure provision of quality education, sanitation and health facilities to the people.

The CDA bosses presented a rosy picture about the authority’s performance and future of Islamabad, which did not match with what was practically being done in the federal capital.

Mr Gilani stressed that special care should be taken to protect the natural beauty of Islamabad. Extensive plantation campaign should also be launched simultaneously, he said.

The CDA high-ups were asked to ensure provision of basic civic amenities to the inhabitants of kutchi abadis and in case of any dislocation, their interests should be protected.

The meeting reviewed the status of land acquisition under the prime minister’s directive for the development of new sectors in Islamabad.

The CDA bosses were asked in the meeting that problems confronting the residents of Islamabad were increasing with each passing day. These included water scarcity, encroachment, housing shortage, poor road safety arrangements, sanitation and poor conditions in slums.

CDA Chairman Tariq Mehmood told the meeting that owners of plots in D-12 Sector would be given possession of land by June 2009.

However, he did not talked about hurdles in acquisition of land in many new sectors the authority wanted to open.

It has been learnt that the CDA has failed to open any new sector since 1987 and the last residential sector was F-11 that was opened for housing 21 years ago.

The chairman apprised the prime minister about the ongoing projects and future initiative for the capital’s development. He also informed the meeting that a long-term mass transit transportation plan was underway for the convenience of the residents.