The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has introduced Islamabad’s first Digital Car Parking System at G-8 Markaz, marking a major step towards digitization. The system, which is part of a broader effort to digitize the city’s infrastructure, was inaugurated by CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa, who was accompanied by board members for the occasion. During the launch, Member Technology and Digitisation Nauman Khalid gave a detailed briefing about the project and its significance for the capital.
In its initial phase, the Digital Car Parking System will be available free of cost to the public for about 10 days. This decision has been made to raise awareness about the system’s benefits and its usage among residents. The digital system is designed to provide convenience and ease, offering multiple payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, QR codes, scratch cards, and even cash through automated machines.
According to CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa, the revenue generated from these parking systems will be reinvested into the same markets to uplift the local economy. He emphasized that digitizing parking services would not only enhance business activities in the capital but also boost the overall economic environment by providing modern infrastructure.
The system is not limited to G-8 Markaz; a Digital Car Parking System is also being installed at key locations such as the parking lot adjacent to Centaurus Mall and F-7, with the full rollout expected to be functional by September 25. Following this, other commercial hubs, including the under-construction Blue Area parking plaza, will also adopt the digital system.
The joint venture responsible for installing and managing the system is collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese companies, which secured a five-year contract. Under this agreement, the CDA will receive 75% of the revenue, while the contractor will get the remaining 25%. The CDA plans to deposit all earnings directly into its accounts, and at the end of each month, the contractor will receive their share.
Additionally, it has been announced that car parking will remain free for up to 15 minutes, accommodating individuals who need to make quick stops for tasks such as using ATMs or purchasing small items. This move is aimed at encouraging more efficient use of parking spaces.
For several years, the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), which operates under the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), has been responsible for managing Islamabad’s parking system. However, allegations of mismanagement and corruption have long plagued the process. The CDA’s IT wing has now stepped in to assist the DMA in digitizing the city’s parking lots to ensure transparency and accountability.
A 2022 audit revealed significant irregularities in the collection of parking fees at sites like Shakarparian and Daman-i-Koh, as well as the parking lot adjacent to Centaurus. The audit, which was conducted by a special CDA team, found that fee collection practices lacked proper oversight. In particular, parking ticket books were being printed locally without the approval of the competent authority, making it difficult to track daily collections and remittances.
The audit report also highlighted that a previous contractor for the Centaurus car parking lot owed Rs 30 million, yet no recovery notice was issued by the DMA office. Additionally, the lack of standard operating procedures and proper record-keeping led to a reported loss of Rs82.34 million for the CDA. In light of these revelations, an inquiry committee was formed to investigate the issue. However, the results of this inquiry have yet to be disclosed.
Also Read: Karachi Parking Survey: 31 Buildings for 5,000 Vehicles
Going forward, the CDA aims to gradually transition all major parking sites in the city to the Digital Car Parking System to prevent further irregularities and enhance the city’s infrastructure.
