ISLAMABAD: The government is planning to launch a two-year development plan for Islamabad named Vision 2027 as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the Allama Iqbal flyover at T-Chowk.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the flyover 96 days after laying its foundation stone. The flyover has now been opened to traffic.

The project, worth Rs1.4 billion as per the PC-I, was completed with a 15 per cent cost increase due to a change in the scope of work. According to the PC-I, the project was scheduled for completion by February 19, but the Capital Development Authority (CDA) completed it well ahead of time.

The 1.1-kilometre-long flyover has been constructed at the junction of GT Road and Islamabad Expressway to ensure smooth traffic flow for vehicles.

PM inaugurates Allama Iqbal flyover; Rs1.4bn project completed ahead of schedule

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister appreciated Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa, contractors and others for the speedy completion of the project.

He said that the expressway is now signal-free from Faisal Mosque up to GT Road and added that the quality of the flyover was good.

The prime minister also praised the interior minister for a number of road development projects launched during the last one and a half years, saying these projects were highly beneficial for the public and transporters.

He further appreciated the performance of Chief Officer Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation Dr Anam Fatima, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yousaf and SP Operations Qazi Ali Raza for the anti-encroachment operation to remove illegal constructions, including the demolition of Muslim Colony near the Diplomatic Enclave.

He said encroachments were a chronic issue and added that if not removed in time, they become hurdles in urban planning and implementation.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said cost-effectiveness, quality and timely completion were the main targets of the project, all of which were achieved.

He also announced the construction of service roads along the expressway to manage light traffic, noting that the existing service roads from Faizabad to Koral Chowk were in a dilapidated condition, causing difficulties for motorists.

The interior minister informed the prime minister that another mega project, the Shaheen Chowk underpass, was near completion and that the prime minister would soon be requested to inaugurate it as well.

Mr Naqvi also announced Islamabad Vision 2027, stating that after completion of the initiative over two years, the capital would be transformed. While he did not share details of the programme, officials said a large number of development projects were being planned under the initiative.

Meanwhile, the interior minister also announced a plan to address the issue of water shortage in Islamabad. Addressing local MNAs present at the ceremony, he said their concerns regarding water scarcity would be addressed on a priority basis, adding that a task force was already working on the issue.

It is relevant to note that growing water scarcity is a major issue faced by Islamabad residents, as no new water source has been explored since the 1990s.

Currently, the CDA supplies around 70 million gallons per day to Islamabad against an actual demand of over 280 million gallons per day, sourced from Simly Dam, Khanpur Dam and tubewells.

The rural population relies on bore water or small water schemes managed by the district administration.

According to documents, Islamabad’s total water demand is 283 mgd, including 246 mgd actual demand and 37 mgd distribution losses, resulting in a supply gap of over 175 mgd.

In the past, several announcements were made regarding the construction of Chinot Dam in the Simly catchment area, Shahdara Dam and the Ghazi Barotha project, aimed at supplying water to Rawalpindi and Islamabad, but these initiatives lacked implementation. However, Mr Naqvi said he would take steps to resolve the issue.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by several parliamentarians, including Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, and State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, along with senior government officials.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2025