Work on the removal of wild growth and vegetation from different parts of the city, continued even on Monday, the 9th of Muharram, despite it being a gazetted holiday of Ashura.
In order to remove wild growth, rank vegetation and to improve overall cleanliness of the city, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Capital Administration (ICT) along with the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (MCI) have initiated a Clean and Green Campaign. The purpose of this campaign is to revive the clean and green status of Islamabad.
Under this campaign, the MCI staff with the assistance of CDA and under supervision of the ICT administration continued work on the clearance of wild growth even on weekends and gazetted holidays.
A significant area of the city has been cleared from rank vegetation while the whole city will be covered within the next week. Work in sectors like G-10, I-10 and all other areas is in progress and they will be cleared during the next week as well.
Meanwhile, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in pursuance of Islamabad High Court (IHC) orders is in the process of finalsing a comprehensive policy and mechanism for shifting of schools from residential premises. Spade work in this regard has been completed. The concerned departments and stakeholders are being taken on board to incorporate their suggestions in the shifting mechanism.
In this context, the CDA has scheduled a meeting on the subject matter at its headquarters. Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) representatives, Private Educational School Regulatory Authority (PIERA) and other concerned formations will attend the meeting.
In order to shift the educational institutes from the residential premises, a comprehensive and transparent criterion is being devised so that all educational institutes could be equally accommodated.
Through this mechanism it would be ensured that an educational plot would not be allotted to any irrelevant person or institute. Furthermore, it would also be ensured that in the future no school would be established on residential premises.
Housing societies are being directed to utilise the plots reserved for educational institutes within three months.
If the reserved educational plot in any society has been utilised for any other purpose, the society would provide equal space for the establishment of an educational institute in lieu of an utilised reserved plot. In case of non-compliance, action under the rules would be taken against the society.
Federal Education Directorate (FDE) being the main stake holder in this matter is being asked to submit its future requirements and indicate the unused land and surrender it accordingly so that it could be reallocated for educational activities.
In this context, FDE will initiate a proposal to devise a mechanism through which a combination of private and government institutes would be encouraged.
It is pertinent to mention that the superior judiciary while taking up the matter had directed the CDA to device a comprehensive mechanism and policy for relocation of schools from residential areas of the city.
