Govt plans to outsource Islamabad waste management: Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry

Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry on Monday informed the National Assembly that the government is planning to outsource solid waste management in Islamabad to improve garbage collection and disposal systems in the federal capital

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th May, 2026) Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry on Monday informed the National Assembly that the government is planning to outsource solid waste management in Islamabad to improve garbage collection and disposal systems in the Federal capital.

Responding to questions during Question Hour, he acknowledged that Islamabad currently lacks an efficient solid waste management mechanism comparable to modern international standards or systems operating in several cities of Punjab.

He said the bidding process for outsourcing the solid waste management system has already been initiated, and several national and international firms have participated.

Talal Chaudhry informed the House that the process of shortlisting and pre-qualification of firms is underway, adding that the exercise had to be repeated twice as no firm initially qualified.

He said the responsibility for waste management would eventually be handed over to a qualified national or international company.

Replying to a supplementary question, the minister said the government had already initiated vehicle fitness and emission testing in Islamabad last year to control environmental pollution.

He said emission testing of vehicles has been completed and stickers are being issued to certified vehicles after inspection.

He added that there are no brick kilns operating within Islamabad contributing to environmental degradation, while environmental regulations are also being enforced on factories and other industrial units.

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On public transport, Talal Chaudhry said the government is actively considering expansion of transport facilities in Islamabad and feasibility studies are underway.

He said proposals under consideration include the introduction of trams, electric transport systems, and local train services on existing railway tracks connecting Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

He added that despite heavy subsidies provided by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the federal government, public transport services are being maintained as millions of passengers use them regularly.

The minister said new transport routes will soon be introduced to provide affordable mobility options to residents of the federal capital.

He further said all development projects initiated by the current government in Islamabad have been completed within timelines without compromising quality, speed, or cost standards.

Responding to another question, he informed the House that a fee of Rs250 is charged for installation of each M-Tag in Islamabad.

He said that as of April 29, 2026, over 296,823 vehicles and 187,341 motorcycles had been issued M-Tags.

The minister added that the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) had been assigned the task due to its expertise and experience in operating electronic tolling systems on motorways and highways at minimum cost.

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