Traders urge CDA to resolve issue of commercial markets in capital

People coming for shopping need car parking, streetlights, clean drinking water and public bathrooms

ISLAMABAD: Business community on Friday stressed upon Capital Development Authority (CDA) to focus on resolving the key issues faced in different markets of capital city.

They demanded provision of filtration plant, restoration of all street lights and redesigning of car parking for expansion as well as its recarpeting to facilitate the visitors and promote trade and business activities.

A delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Sheikh Amir Waheed visited F-6, Islamabad and congratulated the newly elected President Shehzad Shabbir Abbasi, General Secretary Muhammad Hussain, and other office bearers of Traders Welfare Association of Super Market, a press release said.        Speaking on the occasion, President ICCI Sheikh Amir Waheed said Super Market was located in a posh area of Islamabad where foreign diplomats, foreign nationals and other high profile dignitaries frequently visited for shopping.

He assured the newly elected office bearers that the ICCI would fully cooperate with the association in its endeavors aimed at better development of the market and bringing it on a par with well-developed markets of the region. In his welcome address, Muhammad Hussain thanked the ICCI delegation for visiting their market to congratulate the newly elected office bearers, which was a source of encouragement for them. Highlighting the key issues of Super Market, he said there was no filtration plant in the market due to which the traders and residents of the area were deprived of clean drinking water.

He said current car parking had become insufficient and urged that CDA should redesign the parking to expand it and arrange its recarpeting and restore all streetlights.       He assured that the association would fully support the ICCI in its efforts for resolving key issues of the local business community.

ICCI former senior vice president Khalid Chaudhary has reportedly said that due to lack of proper maintenance, the condition of commercial centres has deteriorated.

Chaudhary urged the CDA to form a task force to expedite development work in commercial centres of the federal capital. He said many sectors in Islamabad including G-7, F-6, G-6 and G-8 were developed about 20 to 25 years ago and require an infrastructure upgrade.

“The state of sanitation is pathetic as gutters are seen overflowing in many markets and CDA is paying no attention to remedy the situation. The only sewerage machine is also faulty. Many markets are without toilets, while the condition of available toilets is very poor on account of wear and tear due to which customers and their families face great problems,” Chaudhary said.

He maintained that the CDA was collecting sufficient tax from these business centres but was not using this money to develop the markets.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2018.