ISLAMABAD: Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) Opposition Leader Ali Awan on Friday alleged that the environment wing of the civic body was preparing to release a heavy outstanding amount of a blue eyed contractor without finalisation of a project in F-9 Park. During the 20th session of MCI, Ali Awan alleged that a contractor, who was the defaulter of a project, which was awarded to him over a decade ago, was now going to receive his outstanding dues without fulfilling the formalities. “A project worth Rs 2 billion was awarded to a private firm for the upgradation of F-9 Park in 2008, but the contractor spent only a few of the sum on ground,” he informed while alleging, “According to my information, the payment of the same project is being issued to this defaulter contractor without finalisation of the remaining work.” Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz requested F-9 Park director to submit a detailed report while assuring the house that the payment will be released according to the rules and regulations. A policy regarding beautification and uplifting of parks, green belts and roundabout under the Corporate Social Responsibility has also been approved in the session. Under the newly approved policy, the national and multinational companies would be allowed by MCI to beautify the selected locations by utilising their own resources, however such facilities shall be offered free of cost to the citizens. It is pertinent to mention that a private firm has already maintained two multipurpose grounds in sector F-8 and F-6, but now a generic policy in this regard has been approved unanimously by MCI in its sitting held at Pak China Friendship Centre. The session was chaired by Sheikh Anser Aziz and was attended by the members of MCI. Sheikh Anser said that the main objective behind this policy was to enhance the beauty of the federal capital in addition to the uplifting of these facilities. Meanwhile, the issue of Katchi Abadis was discussed in detail and members stressed to curtail the expansion of the already existing abadis. Members were of the view that these settlements were the main hideouts of drug mafia and criminals. A minority member of MCI, Shroff Mashi was enraged over the remarks of fellow members and said, “I accept that drugs are being supplied in the city from these Katchi Abadis, but who are the consumers of these drugs?” Responding to the minority member, the mayor explained that this observation was of generic nature and was not specific to any religious group. “As a first step, we need to stop the expansion of these settlements instead of thinking to completely finish them,” the mayor told the House. Awan suggested that the MCI should assign Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission to employ geo tagging technology to end the ongoing expansion of these Katchi Abadis. The House unanimously agreed that practical steps should be taken to curtail the population and the expansion of these Katchi Abadis. During the meeting, a report of the committee from 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 be provided to the residents. Sheikh Anser decided to constitute a committee in the light of suggestions of the members of the House which will submit its recommendations regarding the collection of taxes from the rural areas of the city. Published in Daily Times, February 17th 2018.