Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi outlines plans to remove illegal structures, modernize police stations and upgrade Islamabad’s firefighting and emergency response services.
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has demolished a 30-year-old Khanna police station built on a green belt near Khanna Pul Interchange as part of an ongoing anti-encroachment operation, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi vowing to reclaim public land and green spaces across Islamabad without discrimination.
Speaking to reporters while overseeing the demolition, Naqvi said the police station had temporarily been shifted to a rented building and that the CDA would arrange a new building for the police.
He said the government was applying the same rules to its own institutions and would not allow illegal occupation of public land, regardless of who was responsible.
Naqvi cited the removal of an entire Frontier Corps (FC) installation near Mohra a few days earlier, saying a public park was being developed on the reclaimed land.
He said restoring Islamabad’s original beauty and protecting its green belts were among the government’s priorities. However, he stressed that the anti-encroachment drive should also provide alternative arrangements for people affected by the operation, particularly street vendors.
The minister said designated spaces would be provided in markets to enable vendors to continue their businesses without occupying public land.
Islamabad to get 10 new police stations
Naqvi said the government was planning to construct 10 new police stations in Islamabad as part of efforts to modernize the capital’s police infrastructure.
He said his initial target had been to replace all 27 police stations in the federal capital with new buildings. Eight or nine stations had already been renovated, while land had been allocated for the remaining projects.
He added that the government wanted to establish modern police facilities to improve public access to police services.
Addressing jurisdictional issues between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, particularly around Khanna Pul and the Islamabad Expressway, Naqvi acknowledged the need for better coordination between the two police forces.
Responding to concerns about emergency calls being directed to the wrong city’s police service through helpline 15, he said the matter would be examined and resolved in coordination with the relevant authorities.
He also said police personnel assigned to work with former senior officers instead of performing their designated duties were being brought back to the police lines.
Four new emergency response centres planned
The interior minister announced plans to establish four new emergency response centres and upgrade five existing facilities to improve emergency coverage across Islamabad.
He said the capital’s firefighting arrangements were inadequate, particularly for dealing with fires in high-rise buildings.
According to Naqvi, Islamabad last received fire engines in 1993, while two or three additional vehicles were subsequently provided through a Polish donation in 2009.
He said the government was working to integrate ambulance and fire brigade services into a coordinated emergency response system.
Naqvi also said 22 fire engines had been received in Karachi, with additional vehicles ordered. An 88-metre aerial ladder fire engine had also arrived to strengthen firefighting capabilities in high-rise buildings.
The government was considering acquiring an even taller fire engine, he added.
He expressed hope that a comprehensive firefighting and ambulance response system would become operational within the next three to five months.
Rescue 1122 official’s removal under review
Regarding the removal of the director general of Islamabad’s emergency services, Naqvi said he had requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the decision.
He said approximately 45 days had passed and an inquiry report was expected. The prime minister was also considering forming a committee to examine the matter.
Naqvi expressed hope that the official would be reinstated if the committee found him not responsible.
Updates on Islamabad development projects
The minister said development work was progressing in several residential sectors that had remained stalled for years.
He described Margalla Enclave, being developed in collaboration with the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), as a major project covering approximately 20,000 kanals and approaching completion.
He said development work in Sector E-12 had resumed, while projects were also under way in sectors C-14, C-15, C-16 and C-17.
Naqvi further announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for a new stadium in Islamabad was expected within the next seven to 10 days.
He said the government was committed to transforming Islamabad into a modern model city through improved infrastructure, better civic facilities and the restoration of public spaces.
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