Civic problems are deteriorating day by and day in the federal capital and the local civic body (CDA) is showing lukewarm attitude in resolving them, said President of Islamabad Citizen Committee Latif Ahmed Rana.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday at a local hotel, he said the situation relating to public security is also not satisfactory, as day-light robbery and street crimes are on rise. The Local administration and police are heavily engaged in protocol duties of VVIPs and they have less time to take care of public safety and comfort.
Latif Rana said they have approached the local administration and CDA many times, seeking their help address the residents’ problems. But there is hardly any outcome. “CDA is itself biggest problem for the citizen,” he remarked.
They raised the problems even at the level of the Prime minister and the Interior Ministry. Now, he said they have written letters to heads of local political parties drawing their attention towards the civil problems, since they were going to participate in the forthcoming local bodies’ elections in the federal capital. The inspiring candidates would need to accept the challenges relating to the civic amenities.
They should prepare themselves to get resolved the problems, particularly those relating to unauthorized encouragement and popping of illegal ‘kachi abadies’.
There is growing illegal and unauthorized construction within and alongside of residential sectors, besides illegal use of residential properties in the form of schools, offices, beauty parlors, that has made the life of the local people miserable.
There is also problem of parking of vehicles on footpaths in residential as well as commercial areas. Failure to develop already allotted sectors after more than 20 years of allotment is also a matter of great concern.
Latif Rana further said there no maintenance or construction of roads and streets, footpaths. The city also lacks proper street lights.
Augmentation of water supply is required on urgent basis. Present requirement of capital is 180 million gallons per day, whereas available supply from different sources is 62 million. Sewage disposals into rain water nallahs and drainage needs to be rectified.
About the security, Latif Rana said there is no visible presence and patrolling by police. Citizens have been left at the mercy of criminals.