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FAISALABAD, Dec 16 (APP):Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) Director General (DG) Muhammad Asif Chaudhry has said that FDA is ready to initiate new projects under Public-Private Partnership or Joint Ventures in collaboration with Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) for comprehensive, organized and integrated development of Faisalabad in line with future demands.
He made these remarks while addressing the business community during a meeting at FCCI. He emphasized that urban development is a vast subject that requires collective wisdom and cooperation.
Addressing the issues raised by President FCCI Farooq Yusuf Sheikh, he mentioned that FDA City and the Sports Complex fall directly under his jurisdiction and multi-faceted steps are being taken for their early habitation.
He said that FDA City, spread over 75 squares, is the largest residential colony, which is to be completed in two phases. Electricity supply for the first phase was completed just a few years ago. The state-of-the-art Sports Complex in FDA City has been providing services for the past one and three-quarter years, and a Master Plan for its expansion has now been prepared, which will include several new facilities, he added.
He further said that a 25-acre Natural Park will be established here, which will be the first project of its kind in Pakistan. Discussions will be held with both local and foreign investors for this project.
He mentioned that discussions are also underway with the Punjab Government Employees Housing Foundation so that over 400 completed plots can be immediately allotted to retired provincial employees here.
He informed that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has purchased 8 to 9 kanals of land in FDA City for the construction of offices and residences, while the FBR (Federal Board of Revenue) has also acquired 12 kanals of commercial space.
He said that the construction of a Divisional Model School is also underway here, and efforts will be made to complete it before the next semester.
He informed that the FDA has a total of 17 colonies in Faisalabad. Schools are built on these residential plots, and many issues arise due to the inconsistent plinth level. However, the FDA is trying to stop these violations through legal means.
He negated the assertion that Canal Road and other roads are under the control of the FDA. He stated that the FDA works under deposit works, which are completed and then handed over to the Municipal Corporation.
He expressed concern that markets and marquees are now being built on Canal Road, which, along with other civic issues, are aggravating traffic problems.
He disclosed that instead of underpasses for traffic restoration, the FDA has proposed U-turns, and the road at these locations will be constructed as a 5-lane road so that only those turning right can use the extreme right lane.
He also mentioned that a ramp has been proposed in front of the Faisalabad Chamber which will be for descending traffic only. He said this project was sent to the Annual Development Program (ADP) last year, and it is expected to be included in the ADP this year.
Regarding the new Master Plan, he informed that 30,000 kanals of area have been added to the Green Area to minimize environmental impact.
He said that 84 out of 111 Katchi Abadis under FDA control have been regularized, which does not include settlements established on railway land. He further added that 60,000 industries are still operating in mixed industrial and residential areas in the city.
He mentioned that the Metro Bus Service was originally an Asian Development Bank project, but the Punjab Government is now planning it through the Transport Department.
He expressed hope that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz will visit Faisalabad in the coming days to lay the foundation stone for this project.
Concerning real estate issues, he said there is a significant difference between FBR, market, and DC rates for land, which is why this sector is continuously facing a crisis.
In response to another question, the Director General FDA said that the Punjab Housing & Town Planning Agency (PHATA) is currently working on three low-cost housing schemes.
Earlier, Farooq Yousuf Sheikh, President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted urban issues concerning the FDA and assured that the business community is always ready to cooperate with the government and official institutions to resolve problems.
He commended the decision to convert the Sports Complex in FDA City into a club, saying it would help in the early habitation of FDA City.
He demanded a ban on illegal parking outside educational institutions and called for uniformity in property valuation at different levels.
The question-and-answer session was attended by former presidents Rana Muhammad Sikandar Azam Khan, Muzammil Sultan, Suhail Bin Rashid, Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz, Waheed Khaliq Ramay, Ashraf Mughal, Dr. Habib Aslam Gaba, Umar Farooq Kahlon, Haji Muhammad Abid, Bilal Jameel, Rana Ikram Ullah, and other members.
A prayer was also offered for the deceased brother of Director General FDA.
Later, Senior Vice President Naveed Akram Sheikh thanked the guests while President Farooq Yousuf Sheikh presented a special collar pin related to the Chamber’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, a shield and gifts to Director General FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhry.