Breach of protocol: Cabinet Division continues to haunt CDA

Authority allotted land in Sector H-9 to PBM in 2012 for construction of playground

ISLAMABAD: Bureaucrats at the Cabinet Division — the controlling authority of the capital’s civic agency — have been ardently pursuing a matter with the Capital Development Authority where they think they were surpassed while obtaining special permission from a former premier for relaxation of rules.

The CDA recently received a 19th reminder in connection with an explanation called by the Cabinet Division in March 2013 in this regard. But the city managers seem unmoved and are testing the nerves of their seniors over the issue in an apparent defiance.

In 2012, the CDA violated the defined official chain of command and forged direct correspondence with the office of the Prime Minister, without taking the Cabinet Division in loop. The office of the Prime Minister is the competent authority to relax rules for CDA if it [the CDA] intends to allow utility of some land other than its prescribed purpose as per provisions of the city’s Master Plan.



That year, former managing director of Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) Zamurad Khan had desired city managers for allocation of 35 acres land at Sector H-9 for establishment of sporting facilities for children living at Islamabad Sweet Homes, a project of PBM which mainly aims to provide shelter and schooling facilities to orphans.

Many at CDA opposed the allocation, as according to provisions of the Islamabad Land Disposal Regulation 2005, the sector is meant for construction of government institutes.

The CDA board decided the matter and linked it with a special permission from the office of the Prime Minister. The board moved the case of land allotment measuring 17 acre rather than 35 as demanded by PBM due to unavailability of desired space.

At that point, a deputy director general of the CDA, instead of rotating the summary seeking waiver of rules through the Cabinet Division, as per defined official protocol, directly sent it to the military secretary of the Prime Minister. “It was done in a great haste. As the then PBM head was vigorously following the matter,” a senior official privy to the development told The Express Tribune.

Pervaiz Ashraf granted the permission and consequently CDA allotted the land to PBM demanding a subsidised sum as the cost of the 17-acre land.

Case of pending payment

Over time, however, PBM did not pay the amount and due the non-payment, the CDA in 2014 withdrew its offer besides cancelling its previous offer.

At present, however, the land is under occupation by PBM.

“Construction activities at the sight are currently suspended due to paucity of funds,” Barrister Abid Waheed Sheikh, MD PBM, said while talking to The Express Tribune. He added he does not have knowledge if the CDA had cancelled its previous offer.

Sheikh negated the impression if PBM intends to construct residential flats for its officials at one portion of the site. He added that he would take up the issue of allotment with the CDA soon.

A senior official of CDA requesting anonymity said former CDA chairman Tahir Shahbaz, who is currently serving as the registrar of the Supreme Court, had ordered an inquiry into the issue.

“The incumbent DG Administration was the authorised officer of the inquiry. It was completed but for obvious reasons, findings were not shared with the Cabinet Division,” he revealed. .

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2014.