ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Mayor and CDA Chairman Sheikh Anser Aziz said Thursday that Islamabad is the first city of the country which has signed the Islamabad Green Charter to adopt United Nations (UN) Urban Environmental Accords to make the city environment-friendly and increase its green cover.
He said cycling lanes have been constructed along the Constitution Avenue, Margalla Road (F-6/F-7), School Road (F-6) and 7th Avenue, while construction of cycling lanes had been made mandatory along the roads which would be constructed in the future so that increasing environmental pollution could be controlled.
He expressed these views during a cycling event, titled “Volunteers on Wheel”, organised at Faisal Mosque.
On this occasion, Inspector General Police (ICT) Sultan Azam Tamoori, Red Crescent Secretary Obaidullah Khan, Islamabad Bar Association President Naveed Malik, SSP Traffic Malik Matloob Hussain, members of the civil society and a large number of volunteers were also present.
The CDA chairman said that he was glad to know that 1.8 million registered volunteers of Red Crescent were serving humanity. He hoped that this number would reach 5 million by 2020.
He said that all union councils of MCI had been directed to constitute volunteer teams which would work in close coordination with Red Crescent.
He further said that MCI was working with National Disaster Management Authority so that expertise and technical capabilities of each other could be utilised to respond to any untoward incidents. He also said that improvement of environment of the capital and preservation of its green character were the top priorities of MCI.
After signing Islamabad Green Charter, the MCI had been taking steps to save the city’s environment from pollution and reduce the damages that have already been caused to the environment, he added.
Moreover, Sheikh Anser said that cycling all over the world was considered as a healthy and environment-friendly activity, therefore, steps would be taken for its promotion while awareness regarding its importance would be imparted to the general public.
Mayor said that suggestions from the people representing different walks of life, particularly the country’s vibrant media, would be given importance before initiating any future projects in the city.
On this occasion, volunteers of Red Crescent participated in a cycle rally to promote cycling culture in the country.
