ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has received new members for finance, administration, planning and estate after a fresh reshuffle by the federal government.
Recently, the government appointed BS-20 officer retired Lt Sohail Ashraf of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) as the new Chief Commissioner Islamabad. He is also likely to be given the additional charge of CDA chairman, replacing Mohammad Ali Randhawa, who has been posted as Director General Immigration and Passports.
Following this development, the government appointed Mohammad Umair, a BS-19 PAS officer, as Member Finance CDA in place of Tahir Naeem Akhtar, an officer of the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service.
Mr Umair has also been given the additional charge of Member Planning, replacing Dr Mohammad Khalid Hafeez, who has been sent back to his parent department, the Communication and Works (C&W) Department, Punjab.
Planning post again given to non-specialist officer
The post of Member Planning is considered a specialised position. However, despite objections from the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP), the government has continued appointing officers from other services to this post.
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Dr Khalid Hafeez, who earlier held the position, was a civil engineer with a PhD in structural engineering. Now, Mohammad Umair, a grade-19 officer, will hold the acting charge of the planning seat as well.
It is worth mentioning that a judicial commission formed by the Islamabad High Court in 2013 had recommended that only experienced and recognised urban planners should be appointed as Member Planning.
The issue has become more important because the revision of Islamabad’s master plan is still pending. Recently, a summary was moved to form a commission for revising the capital city’s blueprint.
Member Environment shifted to administration
In another change, Member Environment CDA Esfandyar Baloch has been appointed as Member Administration, replacing Talat Mahmood.
Talat Mahmood has been directed to report to the Establishment Division.
Sources said there is a possibility that PAS officer Abdullah Khurram Niazi, who resigned on Friday as Director Domestic at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), may be appointed as the new Member Environment CDA.
Zaman Wattoo appointed Member Estate
Meanwhile, Zaman Wattoo, a retired officer of the Punjab Management Service (PMS), has been appointed as Member Estate CDA.
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He will replace Talat Mahmood, who was holding the post as an additional charge. The federal government has appointed Mr Wattoo on a contract basis.
CDA chairman charge likely to remain with chief commissioner
It is important to note that the posts of Chief Commissioner Islamabad and CDA Chairman are two separate and important offices.
However, for the past nearly six years, the government has continued giving the additional charge of CDA chairman to the Chief Commissioner Islamabad.
The same arrangement is now likely to continue, as the government is expected to hand over the charge of CDA chairman to the newly appointed chief commissioner as well.
Member Engineering to continue
According to sources, Member Engineering CDA Syed Nafasat Raza will continue to serve in his position.
The CDA Board is the authority’s main decision-making body and is headed by the chairman. It includes eight executive members — chairman, finance, administration, planning, engineering, estate, technology and environment — along with three non-executive members.
