Violation of merit: IHC stays CDA planning official’s appointment

Petitioner maintains Waseem Ahmed Khan’s appointment has been made illegally.

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued a stay order against the appointment of an official in the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi accepted a petition filed by Mustafain Kazmi, challenging Wasim Ahmed Khan’s appointment as member Planning and Design against violation of rules.

The court issued notices to CDA Chairman Nadeem Hassan Asif, Establishment Division and Cabinet Division secretaries and the respondent. Their replies have been sought for the next hearing, the date of which will be confirmed by the registrar’s office in due course.

On August 19, Khan had taken charge as member of the CDA’s Planning and Design. However, the officials in the civic agency had expressed concerns about Khan’s track record as Lahore Development Authority’s (LDA) former chief metropolitan planner.

Under Khan’s watch, during the demolition of a plaza in September 2011 four labourers died.

Following the tragic incident, an inquiry was initiated against Khan and 10 other LDA officials on the recommendations of the Punjab chief minister’s inspection team which found all of them guilty.

The petitioner’s counsel Hafiz Arfat Ahmad maintained that the Establishment Division secretary had issued a notification on August 15, illegally appointing Khan on deputation.

Ahmad argued that his client had been appointed to the position last September after completing all procedural formalities.

“Instead of promoting the culture of merit and good governance, the government has appointed their favourites,’’ he added.

Ahmad contended that Mustafain Kazmi has worked honestly since joining the CDA in 1984. He requested the court to declare Khan’s appointment illegal and direct the government to send him to his parent department.

Civic agency, police chiefs put on notice

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought reply from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman and inspector general of police (IGP) for failing to take action against commercial entities and offices establishment in residential sectors.

IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi on Monday put CDA Chairman Nadeem Hassan Asif and IGP Sikandar Hayat on notice seeking their replies in two weeks on a petition.

The petitioner, Dr Saquib Abbasi, through his counsel Atharminullah has sought action against commercial offices established in residential areas by individuals and organisations, including members of various political parties.

The petitioner contended that the CDA has failed to take action on the commercial activities, which violated the Islamabad Land Disposal Regulation 2005. He claimed that the violations were causing traffic problems across the capital.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2013.