Tag: Capital Development Authority

  • ‘World’s largest aviary’ approved by CDA…is this really necessary?

    ‘World’s largest aviary’ approved by CDA…is this really necessary?

    The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has approved plans for the construction of the world’s biggest aviary in Islamabad’s F-9 Park. The structure has been planned to span over an area of at least 10 acres.

    The decision was taken during a meeting of the CDA board, chaired by the authority’s chairman, Noorul Amin Mengal, on Tuesday, Dawn reports.

    The decision was announced on CDA’s official Twitter account. In their announcement, they said birds from all over the world will be bred in the aviary, and it will be built through an ‘open auction’ pertaining to design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT). 

    Using this strategy, the project is said to be carried out to the highest standards, while putting a strong emphasis on sustainability and long-term operation. 

    The CDA has yet to release further details about the project, including the expected completion date and the species of bird that are to be housed in the aviary.

    The announcement has generated significant interest on social media, with many users expressing their excitement and anticipation for the completion of the project.

    The project is reportedly one of CDA’s initiatives to support biodiversity and develop distinctive public leisure areas. However, users on Twitter called out CDA’s failed bird zoo in Lake View Park, another big project CDA hired a contractor to invest in.

    According to one Twitter user, the birds are kept in dismal conditions, with larger species such as eagles and owls being kept in cramped cages. He also points to how the contractor CDA hired is now “occupying the facility and generating revenue without any formal contract”, as stated in the report by the Auditor General of Pakistan.

    Considering Pakistan’s general history with keeping animals in enclosures (read: tales often ending in misery and death), one can’t help but wonder: is this the right step towards biodiversity and sustainability?

    As one Twitter user put it:

  • Senator Sherry Rehman schools CDA Chairman on Twitter

    Senator Sherry Rehman schools CDA Chairman on Twitter

    Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman is not one to hold back when it comes to calling out audacious ideas. Earlier this week, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Noor Ul Amin Mengal tweeted a suggestion for alleviating traffic congestion on the road to Daman e Koh and Peer Sohawa on Margalla Hills. He pondered planning a road from Peer Sohawa to Barri Imam and 3rd Avenue to make it a loop to facilitate traffic movement.

    Rehman clapped back today, reminding the Chairman of his domain of authority:

    Correcting the Chairman, Rehman stated that planning infrastructure through a Wildlife Board-protected green area is not under the CDA’s domain of authority. She reiterated that the plan is against Pakistan’s existing wildlife laws and goes against the country’s international commitments to preventing climate change. 

    Other Twitter users also chimed in with their opinions:

    Many users supported Rehman’s sharp response:

    Pakistan’s climate promise

    As part of UNDP’s Climate Promise, Pakistan intends to set a cumulative ambitious conditional target of an overall 50% reduction of its projected emissions by 2030, with a 15% reduction from the country’s own resources and a 35% reduction subjected to the provision of international grant finance.

    Cutting down trees in order to build concrete infrastructure stands decidedly against Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contribution to the Climate Promise.

  • Prime Minister House to be converted to university in 72 months

    Prime Minister House to be converted to university in 72 months

    The bill seeking the establishment of a university at the Prime Minister (PM) House finally reached the Senate on Tuesday, reports Dawn.

    According to the bill, which has already been passed by the National Assembly (NA), the project once started, will take 72 months to complete.

    Last year, officials from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on the direction of the PM Office, had visited Sir Syed Memorial Society building in G-5. The HEC and CDA had later shared a report with the PM office, stating the building was suitable for starting the university.

    The University of Engineering and Emerging Technology Bill 2022 was tabled in the Senate by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Khan on behalf of Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood.

    Chairman Mohammad Sadiq Sanjrani referred the bill to the Senate Standing Committee on Education for consideration.

    In October last year, the NA standing committee had approved the bill and last month the National Assembly passed it along the mini-budget and some other bills.

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has already entered its fourth year in office, implying Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan may not be able to see his dream project completed during his tenure.