ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) is seeking the government’s approval pertaining to the formation of a 15-member commission in its bid to revise Islamabad’s master plan in nearly 58 years, a news source reported. A summary in this regard has been sent to the Interior Ministry by CDA Chairman Afzal Latif, who finalised the names for the proposed commission.
If approved, the 15-member body will include experts such as town planners, architects, environmentalists and civil engineers. Their names are Javed Ali Khan, renowned town planner and architect Prof Dr Ghulam Abbas, Professor Javed Hassan, environmentalist and architect Ayub Qutab, former CDA member planning Asad Mehboob Kayani, and former CDA member engineering Shahid Sohail.
Other names proposed for inclusion in the commission are CDA Member Planning Ehsanul Haq, Director Master Plan Zafar Iqbal Zafar, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency’s director general and the chief metropolitan officer. Moreover, Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners will nominate a town planner and architect.
The proposed commission would also assist the civic body in finding solution to the issue of some 400 schools operating in residential areas. Under CDA bylaws, schools cannot operate in residential areas.
State Minister for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi had recently announced plans to remodel the federal capital. This is meant to be part of the government’s efforts to stop mushroom growth in the city as a result of population growth.
