
Muharram processions: Strict security arrangements enforced in ICT
During a surprise visit to the Central Imambargah Asna Ashri in G-6, the officials reviewed the arrangements and assessed the on-ground situation.
A foolproof security plan—devised on the directives of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi—is being implemented in coordination with CDA, Islamabad Police, and the district administration.
The procession route has been fully cleared, and a large contingent of police personnel is deployed for security, the Chief Commissioner said.
According to Randhawa, Safe City cameras are providing uninterrupted surveillance of the procession. Sanitation, drainage, and emergency teams have also been deployed along the route to ensure smooth conduct of the event.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Panel formed to address twin cities' water crisis
Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, has said that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has formed a high-level committee, chaired by the Interior Minister, to oversee a mega water supply project for Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, in response to a call-attention notice by Anjum Aqeel Khan regarding the dangerously low water table in the capital, he explained that the underground water level in Islamabad, which stood at 10 metres in 1960, has now dropped to over 120 metres. He attributed this alarming decline to rapid population growth and urban expansion. The capital requires approximately 120 million gallons of water daily, but the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is currently supplying only 60 million gallons, meeting 90% of urban and just 15-20% of rural water needs. A mega water project is essential to bridge this gap adding that a feasibility study is already underway, he added. He further informed the house that, to raise groundwater levels, CDA has revised its building by-laws, making rainwater harvesting mandatory for all new residential and commercial constructions. Soak wells are being installed to ensure that rainwater seeps into the ground, and the practice of groundwater extraction through boring is being actively discouraged. To address the shortfall, treated water from Sangjani and water tankers from Khanpur are being used. He revealed that residents of a 10-marla house pay Rs192 per month for water, while those living in one-kanal houses are charged Rs280, rates that cover only half the actual cost of supply. Highlighting the situation in rural areas, he said the government has launched 44 water supply schemes worth billions of rupees, but only 12 are currently operational. The remaining projects are hindered by issues such as faulty motors or unpaid electricity bills.


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Repair of Interior Minister's Enclave: CDA replaces previously issued tender
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) replaced a previously issued tender for repair and maintenance of House 36, Minister Enclave (residence of Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Minister for Interior), following significant public criticism, and issued a new corrigendum to expand the scope of repair for eight houses on Monday. A tender of Rs 47 million for repair at Syed Mohsin Naqvi's official residence (House 36, Minister Enclave), initially published on August 2, has been withdrawn. The CDA issued a fresh corrigendum on August 4, 2025, expanding the scope to cover repair and maintenance for eight houses in total. The corrigendum was released to national dailies but not uploaded on the website of CDA. The corrigendum does not provide details of the eight houses. On March 18, 2024, House 36 was allotted to Syed Mohsin Naqvi, previously occupied by former spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Fahad Hussain. The renovation project is not part of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP); instead, it's being funded by the CDA. On July 30, 2025, CDA approved a budget outlay of Rs 92.215 billion for fiscal year 2025–26, reflecting a renewed focus on fiscal discipline, urban infrastructure, digital governance, and tourism development. Sources in CDA told this scribe that CDA can spend around Rs 700,000 on a single house in the minister's enclave per annum depending on the availability of funds. Since the funds required for the renovation were much higher than the assigned limit, the CDA's usual practice is to prepare a PC-I - a time consuming procedure subject to approval from the competent authorities. In 2024, amendments were made to the CDA Ordinance 1960 which gave considerable financial powers over CDA finances to the ministry including development related affairs of the capital city. These amendments pertain to powers of borrowing, execution of schemes and their finances, creation of funds, besides budget approval, audit, accounts and making rules. Before 2024, all such powers were vested with the federal government. The size of the current federal cabinet has swelled to 51, including 30 federal ministers, nine state ministers, four advisers, and eight SAPMs. In October 2018, when the powers were vested with the federal cabinet, a question was raised as to what was the source of funds for the renovation of official residence of the then state minister for interior, Shehryar Afridi. Shehryar Afridi was assigned his portfolio on Aug 31, 2018. At that time funding was sought from PWD, district administration and CDA. He was allotted house no.3 in the Ministers' Enclave by the PWD which was not in good condition. On Monday, a CDA spokesman reportedly said that this was a routine maintenance tender for eight houses. A typo in the advertisement mistakenly mentioned one house. The error was corrected immediately, and a revised notice was published the next day, he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Digitising land records: CDA, PLRA agree to sign MoU
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Punjab Land and Revenue Authority (PLRA) have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at digitising CDA's land records and introducing an electronic stamp (e-stamp) system in Islamabad. The decision was made during a high-level meeting held at CDA Headquarters, chaired by Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The upcoming MoU, aligned with the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, will serve as a blueprint for the complete digitisation of CDA's land records. It also includes the implementation of an e-stamping system to bring transparency and efficiency to property transactions in the federal capital. Speaking at the meeting, Randhawa said the initiative marks a transformative step in modernising the land record system and improving public service delivery. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025