Chairman of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Tariq Mehmood Murtaza has assured the business community of the twin cities of the full support of the chambers. He expressed these assurances during a meeting of the 2nd Pakistan International Property Expo and Convention here in Islamabad. He said that his office has received all the recommendations and proposals put forward by the business community of the twin cities and that he will personally look into the matter.

The meeting was also attended by former ICCI president Sardar Ilyas Khan, RCCI President Saqib Rafique, DG Information Technology, and other prominent businessmen. Tariq Mehmood also told the meeting about the ongoing developmental projects in the twin cities, especially the Ring Road project. He said that RDA will also liaise with the government to develop special economic zones outside the two cities to reduce traffic load from in-city roads.

He highlighted the issue of encroachment in the city markets and said that a long-term policy is needed to address the issue. He added that if the problem of encroachment is solved the city will become like any western city attracting tourists and artists. He continued, “government needs to support the private sector to revive the national economy and increase its exports. We have also started a one-window facility for the facilitation of general public and also to resolve the issues related to building plans, housing schemes, land-use, and transfer of sold property.”

He further said that the RDA had set a time frame for the issuance of no objection certificates, and approval of building plans and maps with a view to facilitating the construction sector. “Our initiatives have led to a revival of the construction sector with job growth and increasing revenues for the department.” He termed the business community as the backbone of the economy and said that RDA was doing everything in its power to resolve their issues and facilitate their expansionary objectives.

Tariq Mehmood said that the Ring Road would set a new horizon for the development of the Rawalpindi city. “It will be a major pull factor for the growth of the city in the South Western direction. The establishment of SEZs along the Ring Road will steer the development and growth of the city on modern town-planning practices,” he concluded.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk