Abbasi for capital approves CMTA

ISLAMABAD: Prime minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday approved, in principle, a proposal for the establishment for capital mass transit authority (CMTA) for the purpose of planning, operation and maintenance of metro bus service that will ply between the new Islamabad international airport and main residential areas of the federal capital alongwith adjoining Rawalpindi; an official statement said.

The decision was taken during a meeting held in the federal capital on Islamabad metro bus project which is being established to cater to the transportation requirements of the residents of the twin cities after the completion of new Islamabad international airport.

Abbasi directed that necessary legislation to this effect be initiated and expertise of Punjab mass transit authority (PMTA) be utilised for the establishment of statutory body within minimum possible timeframe.

He directed national highway authority (NHA) chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar to ensure timely completion of the infrastructure and allied works on the new Islamabad airport link road.

The meeting was attended by Communication minister Muhammad Junaid Anwaar Chaudhry, PM secretary, capital development authority (CDA) chairman Ansar Sheikh, managing director of PMTA Sibtain Fazal-e-Haleem, chairman NHA Tarar, finance Secretary Shahid Mehmood and other senior officials.