ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khagan Abbasi on Monday was given a briefing on the Capital Development Authority (CDA) during which issues related to the budget deficient and powerless Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) also came under discussion.

`The premier took a keen interest in getting a briefing on issues of CDA and the MCI,` Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz told Dawn.

He said a presentation was given to the prime minister about the functioning of the CDA and its recently-completed and upcoming projects.

`The PM also discussed the issues and functioning of the MCI,` he said.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the PM Office said Minister of State Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, the mayor of Islamabad and senior officers of CADD were present at the meeting.

Issues relating to strengthening of the MCI, service delivery, especially in the rural areas of the capital, and encroachments on the state land were also discussed.

The meeting held at the Prime Minister Office was informed about the recently-completed and ongoing projects of the CDA.

Future projects included the rehabilitation of Simly Dam Road, Bhara Kahu Bypass, construction of an interchange at the intersection of Kashmir Highway and 7th Avenue, an additional block at Capital Hospital, slaughterhouse in I-9/4, an intercity bus terminal, construction of medical centres and the Islamabad bus service project.

`The prime minister appreciated the efforts for the development of the capital as well as provision of civic amenities to the residents,` the press release said.

Earlier, Mr Abbasi also chaired a meeting on healthrelated issues in the federal capital. The meeting was attended by Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar.

The prime minister directed the capital administration, CADD and the CDA to work out a plan to ensure the provision of quality healthcare services in the urban as well as rural areas of the capital.