MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to prepare a detailed master plan for the state capital keeping in view requirements of the modern era and future challenges.

Attending a briefing, given by Development Authority Muzaffarabad (DAM) Chairman Syed Azhar Gillani, he said a grand operation should be launched to rid the capital of encroachments as well as the constructions that were chaotic and ruined its natural views.

Citing ever increasing population in and around the capital, the PM said since Muzaffarabad existed on the seismic fault-line, constructions in both the public and private sector needed to be done in accordance with the building codes with strong adherence to the concepts of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC).

He recalled that during the 2005 earthquake, most of the collapsed infra structure was public sector buildings, but hardly anyonewas held accountable for that.

By-laws should be formulated to maintain the capital`s natural beauty and prevent unorganised construction in it, he said, adding, assistance in this regard could also be sought from the Lahore Development Authority.

Participants of the meeting have invited bids for the most modern urban design of the capital. A grant of up to Rs3 million will be given to the creator ofthe best design.

Museums, libraries and walls with historical figures should be constructed to highlight the old culture and civilisation of the city, the premier said.

In this regard, he suggested that at least 50 old couples of Muzaffarabad should be reached so that they could share their knowledge about the history, culture and civilisation of the town.

The premier told officials that food streets, coffee shops and beautiful spots along the banl(s of Jhelum and Neelum rivers should be built to enhance its beauty for the visitors.

While expressing serious concern over lowincome generation from the assets of the DAM, which was raised in 1988, Mr Ilyas expressed concern about the fact that despite the lapse ofmore than three decades the roles, responsibilities and powers of DAM and Municipal Corporation Muzaffarabad (MCM) could not be explicitly determined and segregated.

He was of the view that nearly 1,000 acres of additional land was required to be added to the jurisdiction of the capital to cope with the fast trend ofurbanisation.

He directed cabinet members from Muzaffarabad division, who were also in attendance, to sit together and decide the municipal limits of the capital apart from determining and segregating the role, responsibilities and powers of both civic institutions.

`We have to take up the challenge of improving the existing cities and towns on the one hand and ensure better planning for the new settlements for safety and survival of future generations,` he said.

The prime minister disclosed that he planned to launch special tourist bus services from Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta to Muzaffarabad and elsewhere in AJK, but only after overcoming the deficiency of the requisite facilities for visitors in the territory.