Vehicles run past the Centaurus mall in Islamabad, Pakistan. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Islamabad Development Working Party (IDWP) met on Thursday with Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Chief Commissioner and Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed in the chair. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA from the federal capital Raja Khurram Nawaz also attended the meeting.
The party deliberated over 18 different projects under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
The development schemes were related to the construction of roads, storm drains, water supply lines and the construction of a tehsil office in the city.
After deliberations, the IDWP approved the development schemes worth Rs1.35 billion. The SDG projects will cost Rs450 million to complete, while the PSDP projects will cost Rs956 million.
The chief commissioner directed to complete all development projects of the city during the current fiscal year. He further instructed the authorities to maintain quality standards in the construction of all projects.
Criminal inquiry
A two-member inquiry committee, formed by the Local Government Commission, has decided to recommend a criminal probe into the to alleged lax recovery from Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) tower dues after officials failed to produce the relevant documents or provide satisfactory answers.
Further, the committee will write to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), seeking records about when these towers were installed
In the last meeting of the Local Government Commission (LGC) — formed under the interior ministry to oversee civic affairs of the federal capital, the Sihala Union Council (UC) chairman had claimed that the elected Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) had caused around Rs40 billion in losses to the national exchequer by not recovering dues allegedly in collusion with the telecommunication sector.
Subsequently, the LGC formed a two-member investigation committee comprising technocrat members of the body, including Taybba Ibrahim and Ali Bukhari.
The committee met at the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Complex earlier this week to probe the matter.
During the meeting, representatives from IMC’s Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) appeared before the committee. The directorate is responsible for overseeing the collection of taxes from BTS towers.
DMA director told the committee that he did not have records of the towers nor did he have any physical proof that any taxes were recovered. He went on to explain that officers deputed in the department before his appointment had taken away all records with them.
Committee member Ibrahim expressed her displeasure over the matter and asked how can official records disappear. She further inquired if the DMA director had made any efforts to recover the stolen records.
In reply, the official reportedly answered ambiguously.
Committee member Bukhari asserted that people who caused damage worth billions to the national exchequer did not deserve any leniency.
With their doubts over foul play strengthened, the committee members decided to conduct a criminal inquiry into the issue.
It will now write to the CDA and PTA seeking records of the BTS towers while a letter will also be sent to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch a probe alleged irregularities and affix responsibility.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 3rd, 2020.
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