The Senate Standing Committee on Interior has directed the Capital Development Authority to take action against illegal hostels operating in residential areas, while also raising concerns over Islamabad’s water shortage, fire safety and sewage entering Rawal Dam.
The committee chairman called for the immediate elimination of hostels operating in residential localities in violation of regulations. Senator Dilawar Khan said the CDA had previously assured the committee that action would be taken against such facilities.
CDA Chairman said the issue of illegal hostels was currently pending before the Islamabad High Court and that the authority would proceed in accordance with the court’s directions. He assured the committee that the CDA would take “100 percent action” subject to the court proceedings.
The committee also reviewed Islamabad’s water supply situation. The CDA Chairman said the city requires around 250 million gallons of water a day, while the current shortfall is approximately 125 million gallons. The authority is receiving around 5 million gallons daily from Rawal Dam and is working on several dam projects to increase water availability.
He said three to four dams were currently under development, with the Water and Power Development Authority, Punjab government and CDA involved in different projects. Completion of Shahdara Dam is expected to provide an additional 10 million gallons of water per day.
The CDA Chairman also informed the committee that a new water supply line was being brought from Simly Dam, from which around 100 million gallons of water per day is currently being supplied. The CDA has also asked the Punjab government to increase Islamabad’s share of water from Khanpur Dam.
Senator Abid Sher Ali raised concerns over water availability for firefighting at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, saying a shortage of water had been faced during firefighting operations. The committee chairman questioned when PIMS was last inspected for electrical and fire safety and when its latest safety certificate was issued.
The CDA Chairman said the last audit of PIMS Hospital was conducted in September 2025. The committee chairman directed that the audit report be presented before the committee for review.
The meeting also took up concerns over sewage entering Rawal Dam. The CDA Chairman confirmed that sewage was entering the reservoir from three to four locations, including the Bani Gala area. He further said the E 11 nullah was the largest drain and that three to four buildings had been constructed in front of it.
The post Senate Panel Orders CDA to Close Illegal Hostels In Islamabad appeared first on ProPakistani.
