Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Senator Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, in his written reply to the National Assembly, revealed that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has spent a total of 76 million Pakistani rupees on various beautification projects in Islamabad over the last three years. The projects aim to enhance the city’s appearance and improve the environment for both residents and visitors.
According to the details provided by the minister, one of the significant projects includes the horticulture plan for the J.S. Pak Day Parade venue and its allied areas in 2023, which cost 2.593 million rupees. Additionally, beautification work on the parade ground for the J.S. Pak Day Parade 2024 in Islamabad amounted to 15.849 million rupees.
Other major initiatives include the horticulture rehabilitation and U-gradation of various areas within the Environment Directorate, which incurred 5.281 million rupees in expenses. Furthermore, the beautification and landscaping of the entire VVIP route during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in 2024 accounted for a substantial 27.160 million rupees.
Another notable project included soft landscaping and plantation efforts along National Park Road, Islamabad, which cost 10.433 million rupees. The beautification of the venue for the JS Pak Day Parade scheduled for March 2025 at Aiwan-e-Sadr also featured in the list, with an expenditure of 7.290 million rupees.
Looking ahead, the horticulture plan for celebrating Independence Day and Marka-e-Haq at the Pakistan Sport Complex is expected to cost 7.434 million rupees in 2025. This comprehensive beautification effort highlights CDA’s ongoing commitment to improving the aesthetic appeal of Islamabad and ensuring it is in line with international standards.
In addition to detailing the projects, Minister Naqvi also addressed the status of the Islamabad Master Plan. Although several attempts have been made over the years to review it, a comprehensive review has yet to be conducted.
Amendments to the plan have been made from time to time, most recently in 1992 and again in 2024, with the Federal Cabinet approving amendments related to zoning and municipal functions to better manage the city’s development.
