Islamabad: New CDA chairman spells out priorities

[Naveed Yaseen]

Muhammad Anis
Spelling out his priorities, the new chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Tariq Mehmood Khan, here on Friday said that he would not only focus on ongoing and upcoming development projects but also work to meet the water requirements of existing and upcoming sectors.

In his first get-together with journalists, the new chairman praised the good work done by former chairman Kamran Lashari and said that there are only a few bureaucrats of his calibre in the country. “Some people say that I would be a victim of comparison with Kamran Lashari but I assure you that not only development projects would continue but also their pace of work would be expedited,” he said.

Tariq Mehmood Khan said that he would not only focus on ongoing and upcoming development projects but his priorities would also include meeting the water requirements of existing and upcoming sectors and strengthening of the Fire and Rescue Service of the Directorate of Municipal Administration.

He said that the issue of water shortage would be taken up at the highest level to remove reservations of provinces with regard to water supply from Indus River. “We will also look into the possibility of constructing two dams in the federal capital,” he said.

He said that currently the expansion of road network is in the north direction. He added that he would also focus on construction of roads in the east to west direction. He said that ‘G’ and ‘I’ sectors would be given due attention with regard to basic facilities like potable water, proper sewerage system, good roads and recreational facilities like parks. He said that he had directed the concerned officers to plan an exclusive park for women.

Expressing his reservation over his working, he said that he would not be influenced by any external pressure and take all decisions on his own in consultation with CDA officials.

“All decisions will be taken within the CDA and no decision will be coming from outside the management of the civic body,” he said.

Tariq Mehmood Khan said that there was no Capital Development Authority outside the premises of the CDA office and there would be firm, proper and strong decision-making within the civic body. “But, of course, there are some issues interlinked at government level,” he said.

The CDA chairman visited the Saidpur Village and Islamabad Zoo along with Member Environment Mazhar Hussain, Director General Environment Shaikh Salman, Director Municipal Administration Momin Agha, Director Environment Malik Oliya, Project Director Saidpur Village Malik Shabbir and other officials.

During his visit to Saidpur Village, he directed the officials to complete the remaining development work and make the facility available for inauguration within one month. He also asked the officials to maintain quality of work and focus on maintenance of recreational facilities.

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