CDA directed to start work on Bari Imam Complex by November
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Senate Chairman Muhammad Mian Soomro has directed the Capital Development Authority to start construction of Bari Imam Complex by the third week of November, CDA sources said Tuesday.
Muhammad Mian Soomro is head of a management and development committee constituted by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to expedite the work on Bari Imam Complex.
The Committee includes Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, CDA Member Engineering, Project Director and a Joint Secretary of the Government.
"At first the ground-breaking ceremony of the Bari Imam Complex was scheduled for the 27th of Ramadan, but due to some reasons it was postponed," Project Director Malik Shabbir Ahmad said. The CDA is trying to complete the modalities at a faster pace to hold the ground-breaking ceremony in November, he said.
The estimated 435 million rupees cost of the project suggested by ACE-Architectural and Town Planning Services (PVT) Ltd was approved by the Committee after which tenders were invited on July 23,2005, he said.
Due to some technical problems new tenders were invited on September 16. Seven companies submitted their Expression of Interest (EoI) to the CDA. Two of them requested for relaxation in terms and conditions saying they should be given interest-free loans and also Considering the ground realities and lucrative offers beingb given to the firms in the field of real estate , a sub-committee had been formed under the supervision of Riaz Naqvi, ex-chairman of the CDA, to resolve the matter in the light of recommendations of the CDA and the Pakistan Engineering Council.
The sub-committee has consulted with the management and development committee after which Senate Chairman directed the Authority to start work on the Complex soon after Eidul Fitr.
Spread on 95 kanals, the complex will have Langar Khana, visitors' sitting area, residences for Khateeb and Imam, Imam Gardish, administrative block, water tanks, prayer hall, qawali hall, toilets, ablution area and two entry points.