Latest news with #CapitalDevelopmentAuthority
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- 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.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
PM Shehbaz directs rainwater drainage in Islamabad
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting on Hajj arrangements for the upcoming year in Islamabad on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday has taken action in response to the flood-like situation in various low-lying residential areas of Islamabad, which followed recent heavy rainfall. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the PM directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and district administration to launch urgent rescue operations and ensure the swift drainage of rainwater from affected neighbourhoods, particularly near stormwater drains. Expressing concern over the plight of residents in flood-prone areas, the prime minister also instructed authorities to implement precautionary measures to protect vulnerable communities near streams and nullahs. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday took serious notice of the flood-like situation that developed in various low-lying residential areas of the federal capital following recent heavy a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, PM… — APP (@appcsocialmedia) August 6, 2025 He ordered the health department to remain on high alert to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, which can often follow such rainfall-induced flooding. To monitor and manage the situation, PM Shehbaz established a special committee to oversee rescue operations and ensure the safety and relief of affected citizens. He reiterated the government's commitment to protecting lives and property during natural disasters, emphasising the need for a quick and organised response from all concerned agencies. In a separate development, PM Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on the construction of Jinnah Medical Complex (JMC), directing the relevant authorities to ensure that global standards of healthcare are met in its development. 'Jinnah Medical Complex will be a world-class hospital, providing treatment for patients from all four provinces, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan,' the prime minister said. He stressed the importance of transparency and merit in both the construction and staff recruitment for the facility. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting to review progress regarding Jinnah Medical Complex. — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 6, 2025 The prime minister also called for third-party validation of the construction quality to ensure high standards. He instructed the preparation of a plan to improve primary and secondary healthcare systems in Islamabad to reduce pressure on existing tertiary hospitals. 'Jinnah Medical Complex will be built with international-standard facilities, and it will offer even better services compared to the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI),' he stated, adding that all related services, including janitorial, should be outsourced on merit. During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on the progress of the concept design, board formation, land acquisition, and plans for a proposed commercial centre adjacent to the hospital. It was reported that the concept design, land transfer, and board appointments are nearing completion, and that geotechnical and social impact studies are underway. Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Syed Mustafa Kamal, and PM's Health Coordinator Dr. Mukhtar Bharath were among those who attended the meeting.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- 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
4 days ago
- Business
- 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
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
CDA chief orders third-party audit of uplift projects
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa on Monday directed third-party audits for all ongoing development projects, and ordered expedited completion of Islamabad Model Jail, IT Facilitation Centres, electric tram feasibility, and the operationalisation of the Blue Area Food Street. The directives came during a review meeting at the CDA headquarters. The meeting was attended by senior CDA and ICT Administration officials, including Member Administration and Estate Talat Mehmood, Member Engineering Syed Nafasat Raza, Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch, and others. The meeting reviewed progress on critical infrastructure and urban uplift projects such as Shaheen Chowk, Kashmir Chowk, Faizabad Interchange, Gardenia Hub (CDA Model Nursery), Pak Secretariat uplift, modern streetlight installation, police station upgrades, Safari Park, Theme Park, cable car, ferris wheel, and dancing fountain initiatives. Randhawa also instructed a detailed financial study of all projects recently transferred from PWD to CDA, including cost assessments, fund utilisation, and quality evaluation. He tasked the Planning and Engineering Wings to develop a strategy for the timely and efficient completion of these projects. In addition, directives were issued to accelerate the rollout of electric buses, establish charging stations, enhance the solid waste management system, improve water supply across sectors, and upgrade all 279 parks in Islamabad. Funds from CDA's commercial plot auctions will be channelled into these initiatives. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
