Committees to resolve traders’ issues

Approves reforms in CDA land department, estate agents complaints resolved

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) Mayor and Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Anser Aziz has set up two joint committees to resolve issues of the business community and local traders.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the mayor with a delegation of representatives of the capital’s commercial markets on Thursday. The delegation was led by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Khalid
Iqbal Malik.

The committee will have representation of the IMC and ICCI, but none from CDA.

Business leaders said almost 95 per cent of their problems were related to CDA and markets faced many common issues which needed urgent attention.

The market representatives said CDA had not initiated any development works in markets for a long time and this led to broken roads and footpaths, while street lights, car parking, filtration plants and public toilets were not available. In addition, sanitation staff was not performing properly and sewage lines were mixing with the water supply in some places. Also, they stressed on green areas for better development.

Aziz said IMC was considering deputing sanitation staff which would be monitored by the market union for their performance. He said CDA would welcome the construction of public toilets and water filters on a self-finance basis if any market union was inclined towards it.

About the removal of encroachments from the markets in Islamabad, Aziz said action would be taken with the consensus of traders and union council representatives.

Mayor approves CDA reforms

Aziz has approved a set of reforms for the land and estate department of the CDA. These reforms were announced after recommendations were submitted by a three-member committee which was formed on the request of the estate agents association.

Sources said restructuring was done on the recommendations of the committee after comprehensive consultation with real estate agents and property dealers. According to the recommendations, property could not be transferred without the approval of registered real estate dealers in the federal capital.  These dealers would get registered with CDA within a month.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2016.