ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control on Tuesday reviewed the Islamabad Metro Bus Service Bill 2026, seeking to set up a separate dedicated wing to handle Metro-related matters.
The committee, met with Senator Shahadat Awan in the chair, directed the Ministry of Law and Justice to review different clauses of the bill and submit a report before the committee. The committee also directed Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) to ensure his presence during the next meeting.
A CDA official, while briefing the committee about the bill, said that we had suggested forming a wing to deal with the Metro issue. The authority requires guidance from the Ministry of Law on the matter, he said.
He said that no new institution would be set up; instead, a wing would be created to manage Metro issues.
An official from the Ministry of Law stated that we have no objection if the CDA takes responsibility for the new wing. However, they noted that no amendments to the bill had been shared with them.
“Nothing has been shared with us regarding amendments to the bill,” Law Ministry officials said, adding that time would be required to review and work on the matter.
The committee asked the Ministry of Law and Justice to look into clause 7 of the Bill to determine whether it comes within the purview of Article 74 or not. The committee underscored that relevant departments must make consultations before the meeting and attend the meeting with proper preparation.
Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood apprised the committee of multifarious and sensitive issues pertaining to Chitral, encompassing the registration of terrorism-related cases, the placement of individuals on the Fourth Schedule, and alleged maladministration in the deployment of police vehicles.
He said that three individuals had been abducted to Afghanistan and subsequently repatriated through strategic diplomatic intervention, facilitated by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani.
He requested the committee to summon the Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Malakand, and District Police Officer (DPO) upper Chitral in the ensuing meeting to present a comprehensive evidentiary dossier. The committee showed displeasure on the absence of CDA chairman.
Senators Saifullah Abro, Umar Farooq, Jam Saifullah Khan, Muhammad Talha Mahmood, and Sarmad Ali also attended the meeting.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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