Inaugurates Margalla Avenue
NA speaker performs groundbreaking of Bagh-i-Dastoor

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to make Islamabad more beautiful, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to follow the landscaping work done in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

Apparently, during his recent visit to Baku, the prime minister was impressed by the landscape work along the roads of Azerbaijan’s capital.

Inaugurating Margalla Avenue and laying the foundation for Sikandar-i-Azam Road, the prime minister praised the landscaping work in Baku and directed Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, former member National Assembly (MNA) Hanif Abbasi and CDA Chairman Noorul Amin Mengal to visit Baku to see their landscaping, which should be replicated in Islamabad.

He also appreciated the standards and quality of road work in Baku. “Rana sb (interior minister) please go to Baku along with CDA chairman and other persons concerned. You will be amazed after seeing roads and landscaping work,” the prime minster said, adding during his recent visit he informed the president of Azerbaijan that he would send his team to Baku to see the quality of their work.

Mr Sharif inaugurated the 10.5-kilometre-long Margalla Avenue, which was opened for traffic in December last year, but some work was still pending. However, fencing of the road to make it a hurdle-free avenue is yet to be carried out by the CDA.

The prime minister also laid the foundation of the 7.5-km Sikander-i-Azam road which starts from Shah Allah Ditta and culminates on the border of Haripur near an archaeological site, known as Alexander’s well. Therefore, the road has been named as Sikander-i-Azam road.

Meanwhile, the CDA also opened bids to award the contract of the road. Sources said according to the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) the cost of the project was Rs380 million. However, the CDA received 37pc above the NIT cost bid from a private firm. As per PC-I, the completion period of the project is six months, but the CDA had set the deadline of four months.

The CDA will construct the road as part of the rural area development package. A few months ago, the federal government had approved a package of Rs10 billion for development work in rural areas.

The CDA earlier used to carry out development works mainly in the city area while the local government department of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration was supposed to execute projects in rural areas. However, now the CDA has been directed by the federal government to also launch development packages for rural area with its own funding.

The road is part of the package of rural development.

According to the CDA, this is not a new road rather was built by the local government department of Islamabad and now it will be overhauled widened by the civic agency.

Meanwhile, the prime minister also handed over four vehicles to students of Sweet Homes and appreciated its patron Zamurud Khan. He also talked to the students of Sweet Homes and advised them to get education with dedication to serve the country in the future. Furthermore, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf performed groundbreaking of Bagh-i-Dastoor as part of the ongoing golden jubilee celebrations of the 1973 Constitution.

“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony of Bagh-i-Dastoor is a momentous occasion for all Pakistanis. It symbolises our unwavering dedication to principles enshrined in our constitution, which is the bedrock of our democracy. As we celebrate the golden jubilee of the Constitution, we pay tributes to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a towering figure who played a pivotal role in laying the foundation of our democratic system. His indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to the people’s welfare continue to inspire us to this day,” he said.

Bagh-i-Dastoor, which is planned to be constructed opposite Parliamentary Lodges at D-Chowk, will serve as a place of reflection and inspiration for citizens and future generations, reinforcing their understanding of the constitutional rights and responsibilities.

It also aims to foster a sense of unity and pride in the nation’s democratic heritage while highlighting the contributions of the great leaders who have shaped Pakistan’s democratic journey.

CDA Member Waseem Hayat Bajwa briefed the speaker about the design of the project.

Sources said during the ceremony it was decided that the garden would have 280 plants, as the Constitution has 280 articles.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2023