The maiden local government of Islamabad is all set to start delivering social and civic amenities to the residents of the capital.
Both the mayor and deputy mayor were enthusiastic about their responsibilities, hoping that the capital would lead the other cities and towns by example in setting standards of good governance.
Pertaining to the situation in Islamabad, the step of holding the first ever elections of local bodies in the capital can have many positive impacts. The local government (LG) system has provided a platform for Islamabadites to use this opportunity and ask for a better standard of living.
LG is a medium to end the sole authority of power holders and it will bring about changes for the well-being of the people of Islamabad who elected their candidates to be part of this system.
The newly elected mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz vowed to focus on the issues relating to civic amenities for the residents of the federal capital during his tenure.
Talking to media, he said that provision of basic civic facilities to citizens, particularly overcoming scarcity of water; health and sanitation issues are the top priority of Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC).
He said that a main pipeline would be laid to Ghazi Brotha Dam to meet the water requirement of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi for the next 50 years. He said: “It is the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to beautify the capital on international standards,” and added: “The mayor’s team will do their best to realise the objective”.
The mayor said the local government institutions would be easily accessible to the public. About transport facilities to the citizens, he said: “The IMC will run buses on the routes connected with the metro stations”.
“Playgrounds in the city, especially those which remained neglected by the CDA, will be improved so as to ensure sports facilities to the youth,” he said and added: “The IMC will introduce a proper taxi scheme in the capital for providing a good transport facility to the people.”
