Meritocracy?" Fresh postings in CDA raises questions

CDA spokesperson says he iss unaware of any inquiry against the newly-appointed head of planning and design.

ISLAMABAD:

Contrary to its earlier claims, it seems the government is not interested in steering the capital’s civic agency out of its prevailing mess.

Recent postings in the Capital Development Authority (CDA) show that the government was not ready to bring much-needed changes in the civic agency and introduce transparency.

Waseem Ahmad Khan, a formerly chief metropolitan planner in the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), was appointed as the CDA Planning and Design member and Muhammad Abbas, a grade-20 officer previously serving as chief engineer at the Punjab Works Department as the engineering member. Khan and Abbas replaced two of the senior most officers of CDA — Mustafain Kazmi and Sanaullah Aman.

Since his appointment, Abbas has yet to assume charge. According to sources in the civic agency he is reluctant to assume charge as he is only four months away from retirement.

On Friday last, Khan took charge as head of planning and design. However, the authority’s officers expressed concern about him given his trek record in Lahore. Khan was found guilty by an inquiry in a plaza demolition tragedy in Lahore in September 2011 that resulted in the death of four labourers. He was the LDA chief town planner at the time.

Last year on the recommendations of the Punjab Chief Minister’s Inspection Team, an inquiry against Khan and 10 other LDA officials was conducted. The inquiry team had found all involved officers guilty.

CDA spokesperson Naeem Rauf said he was unaware of any inquiry against the newly-appointed head of planning and design. He also did not have an answer as to when the new head of engineering would assume charge.

Khan could not be reached for comments despite several attempts.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the CDA public relations directorate said that “being a well-experienced town planner, the federal government has decided to post Waseem Ahmad Khan as Member Planning and Design in the CDA to achieve better results, as he possesses an unblemished service record”.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2013.