ISLAMABAD: The complicated lease renewal process of CDA was depriving the civic body of millions of rupees and creating problems for industrialists and commercial plot holders, however, efforts were afoot to expedite this process to facilitate the business community. This was said by Amir Ali Ahmed, Chairman CDA while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He said that the industrial byelaws were being revised and a mechanism for change of change was being developed so that industrialists could change trade on payment of certain fee. He said complete restructuring of CDA was in process and business community would see positive change in the working of CDA within weeks.
Amir Ali Ahmed said that development work would start soon in Kahuta Industrial Triangle and issue of expanding Islamabad Expressway from Gulberg to Rawat would be resolved in cooperation with societies. He said societies on expressway were using CDA’s right of way and they would have to pay for it. He said over ground parking in Blue Area would be developed, however, in the meantime, ICCI and Blue Area Association should work Deputy Commissioner ICT and Islamabad Traffic Police to find out temporary solution of parking. He said parking facility in F-8, F-10 and other markets would also be provided. He said CDA has activated development work in E-12, I-15 and other sectors that were lying dead for the last many years that will improve the revenue of the civic body. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan was encouraging vertical constructions in Islamabad for which Civil Aviation has removed restrictions and added that it will resolve additional storey issue of traders as well. He said five pedestrian bridges were being construction in Islamabad. He said CDA’s current systems were not user-friendly and were being overhauled to improve them. He assured that efforts would be made to resolve all highlighted issues of business community.
Speaking at the occasion, Ahmed Hassan Moughal, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that the current government was focusing on promoting businesses, investment and exports and urged that CDA should focus on development of industrial areas and markets on modern lines to facilitate business community for achieving such goals. He said lease renewals of industrial and commercial plots was suspended for the last many years due to which expansion of business and investment was suffering and stressed that CDA should address this issue urgently. He said high charges of construction of additional storey in markets should be reduced. He said except for negative list, CDA should allow change of all trades that would help in promoting business activities.
Rafat Farid Senior Vice President, Iftikhar Anwar Sethi Vice President ICCI, Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi, Zubair Ahmed Malik, Tariq Sadiq, Mian Akram Farid, Mian Shaukat Masud, Malik Sohail Hussain, Ajmal Baloch, Khalid Chaudhry, Yousaf Rajpoot, Malik Rab Nawaz and representative of various markets also highlighted various issues that needed urgent attention of CDA.
