Local government: ‘Bureaucracy hurdle in transfer of powers’

Anser Aziz says Islamabad will be developed along modern lines.

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz said that the bureaucracy was major hurdle in transfer of powers to the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC).

He said this, while addressing the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), said a press release issued, here on Thursday.

Aziz said that despite bureaucratic hurdles, the Capital Development Authority (CDA)’s 22 directorates including health services, Rescue-1122, municipal administration, security, water management, sports and culture, sanitation, roads maintenance and environment were being transferred to the IMC, as, according to him, the prime minister and the interior minister were taking keen interest in transfer of powers to local representatives.

The Islamabad mayor said that with the transfer of directorates and allocation of funds from next financial year, the IMC would start working for the betterment of the federal capital.

Aziz said that a comprehensive roadmap had been worked out to develop Islamabad along modern lines.

He said that measures would be taken to resolve issues facing the business community to enable them to contribute for the growth of the local economy.

“The roadmap covers improving infrastructure and installation of security cameras to improve the security situation,” the mayor said.

Aziz said that a “citizens’ advisory committee” would be formed in consultation with the traders for the development of Islamabad.

He flouted the idea that the ICCI president should also be included in the CDA Board to take up issues of the business community.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2016.