NA Panel Call for Removal of Unnecessary Islamabad Checkpoints

News Desk 

Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control on Tuesday deferred several government and private-member bills and directed the Islamabad administration to immediately remove unnecessary internal police checkpoints to ease worsening traffic congestion in the federal capital.

The meeting, chaired by MNA Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz at Parliament House, began with the confirmation of minutes from the previous sitting without amendment.

The Committee reviewed three government bills—the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2025—but deferred all of them due to incomplete stakeholder consultations. The Ministry of Law and Justice was asked to present a consolidated version of the ICT Local Government Bill at a future meeting.

The panel also considered a private-member Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2025, moved by Khawaja Izhar ul Hassan, highlighting difficulties faced by individuals with unresolved citizenship status. While acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, members stressed the political, legal and security implications involved and called for wider consultations before taking the matter forward.

In a positive development for senior citizens, the Committee approved with amendments the Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2025, moved by Dr. Sharmila Faruqui.

The amendment allows senior citizens to avail concessions using their CNICs instead of a separate senior citizen card. The Ministry concerned assured that rules would be framed within six months.

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The Committee also deliberated on the Control of Narcotic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposed by Sehar Kamran, which suggested voluntary drug screening in educational institutions. Members raised concerns over privacy, constitutional limits and the absence of rehabilitation mechanisms. The Committee recommended that the bill not be passed in its present form and advised exploring alternative legislative measures.

Addressing a Calling Attention Notice on delayed compensation to landowners in CDA-acquired sectors, including E-12, C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16 and H-16, the Committee directed the CDA Chairman to submit a detailed report within one week.

During a briefing by the DIG Traffic/CTO on Islamabad’s traffic situation, members voiced strong concern over frequent gridlocks, unnecessary checkpoints and unprofessional conduct by some traffic personnel. The Chair directed the immediate removal of all non-essential internal checkpoints, restricting them to the capital’s entry and exit points only.

The Committee also ordered urgent measures to resolve congestion at Lathrar Road near Taramri Chowk and Ali Pur Bank stop, and emphasized equipping checkpoint staff with digital devices for real-time vehicle verification. Traffic issues on IGP Road, Constitution Avenue, Chungi No. 26, Airport Road and areas affected by private truck stoppages were also highlighted.

The DIG Traffic was instructed to submit a compliance report at the next meeting, while the Ministry of Interior was advised to address staffing shortages in the Islamabad Traffic Police.