MCI opposition members reject increase in property tax, water charges

Islamabad

The opposition members on Friday foiled an attempt of the treasury benches for increase in property tax and water charges during a session of Municipal Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) held here at Pak China Friendship.

The members from Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) staged protest as the Deputy Mayor Chaudhry Rifaat Javed who presiding over the session wanted to take up agenda of the session which also included increase property tax and water charges.

Chairman Union Council Raja Khurram Nawaz of PTI said they would not allow increase in any tax or imposition of new charges till all the basic problems of residents of Islamabad including water shortage are resolved.

Following protest from the opposition members, the deputy mayor deferred agenda till the next session saying that a separate meeting would be called to discuss the issue.

The chairmen of Union Councils both from government and opposition benches also lodged protest against less number of parks available in rural areas of the federal capital.

Sajid Abbasi, a chairman from the treasury benches pointed out that out of 202 parks in Islamabad, only 12 parks are provided in rural terming it big divide between two segments of the federal capital. “There are 30 parks in one sector and only 12 parks in the whole rural area,” he said.

The remarks earned applause from the opposition members who supported views expressed by the government UC chairman.

He also came harsh on Director General Parks saying that he was the most corrupt official in the hierarchy. “Many cases of corruption will surface if DG Parks steps down for even an hour,” he said.

He demanded that the house should pass a resolution for removal of DG Parks who has been occupying the seat for the last 18 years

An opposition members Jamil Khokar observed during the last two years, the Municipal Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) has not been able to make its own rules and is largely dependent on the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

It was decided that the concerned Directors whose issues would be on agenda of future sessions would also be present at the sitting.