ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reviewed the progress of several development projects in Islamabad. He chaired a meeting at the CDA headquarters after watching the Pakistan-Sri Lanka cricket match at Rawalpindi Stadium.
After the meeting, the minister visited three ongoing projects — Shaheen Chowk, T-Chowk flyover, and Faizabad interchange. During the visit, he instructed the CDA to speed up work. According to the PC-I, these projects were planned to be completed by March-April, but due to fast progress, they are now near completion.
Officials told the minister that around 80% of the T-Chowk flyover, 65% of Shaheen Chowk, and 70% of the Faizabad interchange loop expansion have been completed. He also asked about the pending expansion of Margalla Avenue from GT Road to Peshawar Motorway and directed the CDA to start work on it.
Mr Naqvi also ordered the CDA to expand a loop for traffic coming from the Murree side and complete all ongoing projects by the end of next month.
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Earlier at CDA headquarters, the management presented several proposals to the minister, including the construction of a cricket stadium near D-12 at the foothills of Margalla, a Kashmir Chowk underpass, five-star hotels, a new convention centre, and redevelopment of service roads along the Expressway with commercial areas.
The CDA suggested developing mixed-use commercial areas along two kilometres of the Expressway as a pilot project. However, the meeting ended early due to the minister’s schedule, and he directed the CDA to continue work on all assigned projects.
The minister also instructed the CDA to take steps to remove illegal constructions on state land. A CDA officer said that creating commercial areas along the Expressway would require amendments to Islamabad’s master plan. Some officials oppose this, saying the Expressway serves as an air corridor, while supporters argue that illegal construction and encroachments have already reduced the area, and it should be properly utilized instead.
