Metro Bus: Traders of Islamabad to get compensation

Project committee chief acknowledges problems faced by businesses.

ISLAMABAD: Metro Bus Project Committee Chairman Hanif Abbasi has assured the traders that problems caused by the project, especially in the Blue Area, will be resolved as soon as possible with due compensation for the loss of business.

Speaking to the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, Abbasi said the government is fully cognisant of the extent of losses suffered by the community.

He said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would be asked to provide tax relief to the traders affected, which would in turn facilitate revival of business activities in the area.



“An underpass and a temporary overhead bridge would be constructed to connect the Jinnah Avenue with the Blue Area,” he said. “This would further facilitate the commuters.”

He said the metro bus project was completed at a cost of Rs37 billion in a transparent manner and within a short span of time due to which it has been awarded a gold certificate.

He said the road for the metro bus will be properly fenced and some of its adjoining spots will be further beautified. He thanked the Islamabad and Rawalpindi chambers for their cooperation for the mega project and assured that he would soon visit the Blue Area along with relevant authorities and hold a meeting with the CDA.

ICCI President Muzzamil Hussain Sabri said the Punjab government’s Apna Rozgar Scheme had played a positive role in reducing unemployment and stressed that such schemes should also be extended to Islamabad so that jobless youth of the federal capital could get benefit of it.

He also highlighted the problems of the project affecting the traders of Islamabad and said the traders who have suffered business losses should be given proper compensation for the revival of their businesses.

He said the affected traders of Murree Road had been given tax relief and similar relief should also be provided to the traders of Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th,  2015.

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