The 26th session of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) was held at Pak China Friendship Centre, Islamabad which was presided over by Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz and attended by members of MCI. The House approved the proceedings of the 25th session of the MCI. The session was also briefed on distribution of assets between MCI and the Capital Development Authority. The mayor of Islamabad informed the members of MCI that after approval of a high level committee, these assets were devolved. However, in order to resolve the issue of distribution of assets on permanent basis, distribution would be discussed in the meeting of high level committee constituted in this regard. The meeting also discussed the responsibilities given to the elected representatives to monitor the progress of environment staff. The meeting unanimously supported the monitoring system and said that in order to maintain green character of Islamabad and removal of wild bushes and grass, environment wing would be made more efficient and active because keeping city clean and green is among the responsibilities of elected representatives. The session also unanimously approved the enhancement of TAB vaccination fee which is charged from eateries and workers engaged in business of production of edible products from Rs 30 to Rs 150. The House also discussed the encroachments made by the restaurants in Saidpur Model Village and decided that in the next session, complete details are to be presented before the House so that a comprehensive policy could be evolved. The House also unanimously approved the resolution against blasphemous cartoons by Holland and requested the government to raise this issue at relevant forums so that religious sentiments of the Muslims could not be harmed. Sheikh Anser Aziz briefed the House about the current water situation and said that in the wake of recent rainfalls, the water level in Simly Dam has increased substantially while underground water levels have also increased due to which extraction of water from tube wells has risen. He said that when MCI was established, only 50 out of 192 tube wells were operational, however, MCI worked on war footing basis and now 150 tube wells are supplying water properly while repair and maintenance of the remaining is in progress. The mayor said that water supply from Simly Dam has increased to 30MGD from 24MGD. He said that efforts are being made to get budget from the federal government so that MCI could be made functional in true sense. Published in Daily Times, August 30th 2018.