Shortage of funds forces MCI to look towards private sector

Islamabad: The Municipal Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) has decided to involve the private sector for beautification and renovation of public parks in the federal capital.

A senior official of the Environment wing while briefing 20th session of MCI chaired by the Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz said the MCI would sign agreements with private companies for purpose of beautification of parks.

In exchange for renovation of parks, the private companies would be allowed to display their advertisements at designated places for a particular period. The MCI, however, would continue to hold ownership of the park.

The MCI would take over charge of the renovated park after a period of five years and would be responsible for its upkeep. “We are involving the private sector in this cause in view of shortage of funds,” the official said.

The opposition leader in the MCI Ali Awan regretted present condition of public parks in the federal capital with particular reference to the Kachnar Park in sector I-8. The Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz on the occasion, said he also had spent Rs500,000 for maintenance of a park in sector I-8.

It may be pointed out that it was during tenure of then CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari that dozens of parks were re-shaped while carrying out their beautification in all the residential sectors while new recreational places like Lake View Park were provided to residents of Islamabad. Some parks like Rose and Jasmine Garden, Ankara Park and Fatima Jinnnah F-9 Park were developed.

But later, the not only the CDA management and now the MCI set up failed to create any new such facility but the condition of existing facilities has also deteriorated with the passage of time.

During the MCI meeting, report of the committee of MCI regarding property tax, water and charges was also placed before the session which was discussed in detail by the members of MCI.

The house decided that the taxes collected from the rural areas of the city must be collected centrally with MCI so that better facilities to be provided to the residents. Mayor of Islamabad, Sheikh Anser Aziz decided to constitute a committee in the light of suggestions of the members of the house which will submit its recommendations to the house regarding collection of taxes from the rural areas of the city. Some issues of ‘katchi abadis’ were discussed in detail and house unanimously agreed that practical steps should be taken to curtail the population and expansion of these ‘katchi abadis’.