ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Wednesday showed its concerns over incomplete road works in rural areas and directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to take immediate steps to complete the projects.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, which met with MNA Raja Khurram Nawaz in the chair, besides other agenda items, discussed the incomplete projects in rural areas.

The committee expressed its annoyance over the delay in completing the project, which was started by the CDA almost two years ago.

The committee chairman said the CDA had been spending massive funds on megaroad projects in urban areas, but small projects started two years ago are still incomplete, which has been causing problems for citizens.

However, Chairman CDA Mohammad Ali Randhawa told the committee that funds had been allocated for completingprojectsin ruralareas, adding that projects with 80 per cent physical progress would be completed on a toppriority basis.

The committee was told that work on the incomplete projects would be started soon.

In February 2023, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his first stint, approved a CDA project worth Rs10 billion for the uplift of rural areas.

Subsequently, the CDA started development work in rural areas, including cementing streets and work on the widening of many rural roads, etc. Before launching the Rs10 billion projects, the CDA had divided it into three phases, and work on the first phase is not completed yet as many projects were halted halfway.

Many rural roads, includingHarna-Maehra Road, Sher-iDamial Road, Channi Road, Darkala Road, Shahalla Ditta Old Road and Jagyot Road, etc, are still incomplete.

Whereas Sikander-i-Azam Road (which is also known as Alexander Road) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in June 2023, but later on, the project was halted halfway.

This road is meant to link Islamabad with Haripur. The issue of this road and Jagyot Road was also taken up in the National Assembly in February this year on a calling attention notice.

However, work on these two major roads is all set to restart as the CDA, a few days ago, released pending funds for these two projects.

The meeting was also attended by State Minister for Interior Muhammad Talal Chaudhry.

The committee warmly welcomed him on his first appearance before the committee.

The committee also discussed the land issue of the National Assembly Employeesallowed on roads. A report on this matter is to be submitted in the next meeting.

The committee also deliberated on arms license policies.

The minister clarified that one Prohibited Bore (PB) license is issued to each Parliamentarian, while nonPB licenses are issued to their close associates.

The committee was informed that special permission for issuing NPB licences in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be sought from the prime minister (PM).

Additionally, arms licenses for businessmen and taxpayers are under consideration.

Discussing the issue of human trafficking, the state minister said that over 200 offenders have been arrested and several FIA officials have been terminated.

The committee also discussed the PM`s announcement regarding the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre (JMRC) in Sector H-16, Islamabad and recommended that the project be initiated as planned.