ISLAMABAD, March 17: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Sunday took suo motu notice of the transfer of chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and fixed the matter before a bench headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja for Monday.

Notices have been issued to the secretary cabinet, secretary interior, incumbent chairman CDA Tariq Pirzada and former chairman Tahir Shahbaz.

The notices said the transfer of Tahir Shahbaz was a clear violation of the orders of the apex court under which government officers cannot be removed without mentioning a reason before completion of their tenure.

The PPP government sent packing the chairman of the CDA on Saturday.

Mr Shahbaz was probing into a number of cases relating to the illegal allotment of plots. He had also sealed a number of agro-farms and commercial houses located in the residential areas on the directions of the Supreme Court.

“Besides, a long list of officers was given to him through the PM Secretariat to allot them plots in sector D-12 and E-12 but Mr Shahbaz was not ready to take any step against the rules. He had also refused to appoint new employees on the recommendation of politicians,” a senior CDA official requesting anonymity said.

It is pertinent to mention that Dr Kazim Niaz, the member environment of the Capital Development Authority who had conducted a probe into the plot scam, was also removed from the post on Saturday and transferred to Balochistan.

Talking to Dawn, Dr Niaz said he had not received any summon from the court so he was preparing to leave for Balochistan.

“I still have the feeling that the court might summon me on Monday because I was also transferred without giving any reason,” he said.

Legal expert Riasat Ali Azad said it was the responsibility of all relevant personalities to follow the orders of the apex court in letter and spirit.

He said the Supreme Court can restore the former chairman if it feels that there was a mala fide intention behind the transfer order.