ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior on Wednesday deferred the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Bill 2021 for the next meeting as amendments to it are likely to be made by the committee.

“We will make some amendments related to education sector of Islamabad. While, the upper age limit of representative of youth in local government will also be increased from 18-25 to 18-30,” chairman of the committee told Dawn after the meeting.

Committee members, which met here at the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) building with MNA Raja Khurram Nawaz in the chair, besides various agenda items, discussed the said bill.

It is relevant to note that the federal government, on the demand of teaching and non teaching staff of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) schools are going to amend the said bill. Earlier through a presidential ordinance, it was decided that the mayor will be the reporting officer of the FDE director general and will deal with all matters related to education. However, when teachers took to streets against this decision, the government decided to make amendments to the bill as per which FDE employees’ jobs, salaries and other financial matters will continue to be dealt by the education ministry.

Issues pertaining to FDE teachers to be main points of deliberations

While discussing Lake View Park, a representative of Capital Development Authority (CDA) briefed committee members about restoration of a children’s park there. An entertainment facility was leased out to M/S Fun and Joy at Lake View Park phase II in 2007. The facility remained operative till Dec 4, 2018 when Supreme Court of Pakistan during the adjudication of a case directed that the lease of M/S Fun and Joy may be cancelled and possession of the land be taken over by CDA. Consequently, the lease was cancelled. The lease holderhad availed all judicial fora of appeal but had not been granted any relief. Now, the authority will re-auction the facility through an open competitive bidding.

The committee members discussed grievances of those who were affected by the construction of Simly Dam and claim to still have not been allotted plots against built-up property. Members were informed that for Simly Dam, land was acquired in March 1964, and most of those affected by this were either issued eligibility certificates or were awarded rehabilitation benefits. However, cases of anyone who was left out will be taken up in line with directions stated in a judgement of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Issues related to sectors E-13 and E-14 were later discussed. Members learnt that as per the instructions of the federal cabinet, the authority is undertaking efforts and initiated BuP survey in line with fresh policy instructions.

The committee members were told that CDA is also making technological intervention through Surveyor General of Pakistan and Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) wherein the new and old BuP cases will be checked. Directions to initate upgradation and rehabilitation work in E-13 and E-14 for facilitation of the general public were issued.

Joint secretary of the interior ministry briefed the committee regarding 27 appointments of naib qasid in the ministry. Committee members sought a complete record of appointments made against 27 posts from relevant officials and asked for information regarding 8,749 domicile certificates, issued during the last six months.

Furthermore, the joint secretary informed committee members that no visa fee is charged for single entry for visit, tourist or transit visa for Malaysian citizens whereas on account of work or business, the visa fee is $100 for new visa, $150 for multiple visa (up to one year) and $200 for multiple visa (more than one year). The committee members directed the ministry to remove difficulties faced in the visa extension process by Malaysian citizens of Pakistani origin.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2022