Article 140 A of the Constitution is being mocked: CJP

Says Capital Development Authority has no control over its employees

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed on Thursday remarked that local governance was a grave issue in the county while Article 140 A of the Constitution was being mocked.

Paragraph 1 of Article 140 A of the Constitution states that, “Each Province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments.”

Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Amer Ali Ahmed appeared before the Supreme Court (SC) and stated that the authority had scarce funds because Kashmir Highway was under construction.

“CDA has no control over its employees,” CJP Ahmed remarked adding that it seemed that a clerk had more authority than the chairman.

The CDA chairman pleaded that the employees get a stay order whenever their posting orders issued and also informed that court that names of corrupt officials have already been forwarded to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

To this, the CJP remarked that all stay orders would be terminated today. “Do not run such industries which pollute Islamabad,” he said.

County’s top judge said that Islamabad is the worst capital [in the world] in terms of pollution. He said that recreational places should be made for the general public.

“Law would be implemented against environmental pollutants in the industrial area,” the CJP added.

The court inquired regarding providing public transport to the masses. “The authorities should look into aerial and underground transport system,” the CJP suggested.

The court ordered National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) to submit a report regarding posting orders of CDA employees within two weeks. It also asked the Interior Secretary to submit a response regarding the transfer of municipal authorities and implementation of Article 140 A of the Constitution.