THE deliberations held and decisions taken by the Federal Cabinet on Monday were reassuring as these mean the Government is alive to the real issues facing the country and was actively working to resolve problems of the people. After discussion on the most worrying issue of price hike, Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to convene a meeting of CMs to firm up a strategy to address it comprehensively. The Cabinet also approved proposal for a new master plan for Islamabad, restructuring of CDA and setting up of a Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
Soaring prices have become number one concern of the people; therefore, the Cabinet has wisely decided to tackle the issue seriously ahead of planned Azadi March. While policies of the federal government can both trigger and check the hike, it is provinces that matter when it comes to taking effective action against profiteers, hoarders and cartels. Therefore, it is hoped that the meeting convened by the Premier would come out with a well-coordinated plan to check the price-hike. However, the decision to empower the provinces to deal with the protest campaign or March is an indication of the government trying to deal with the issue through administrative means which is not a rational approach if past is taken as a lesson. Political governments and parties are supposed to address such issues through dialogue and discussion especially using the platform of Parliament which delivered on many occasions. A revision of Islamabad master plan is long overdue and it is hoped that much time would not be wasted as already violations have disfigured the intended original shape of the capital. Proposals like a ring road from Rawat to Bhara Kahu are reflective of the futuristic thinking but this and similar other plans will have to be implemented on fast-track basis as other developmental activities and mushroom growth of housing societies is making it difficult to acquire land for such vital infrastructure projects. Restructuring of CDA is also need of the hour as it has a new role and responsibility after devolution of most of its powers and functions to the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI). As for Real Estate Regulatory Authority, it would be seen whether this would help promote the sector which is facing crunch these days, or choke its growth further.
