KARACHI, July 9 A decision has been taken to relieve the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) administrator of the additional charge of Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) president “to avoid possible conflict of interest situation between the two establishments”, it has been reliably learnt.

According to sources, it has been decided that the office of the CBC president will now be held by the station headquarters, Karachi, as is the practice in the other cantonment boards across the country.

The sources said that a joint secretary (army) of the federal defence ministry, Abid Bashir, has communicated the decision to Corps V Commander Lt-Gen Shahid Iqbal and Director-General of Military Lands and Cantonments, Rawalpindi, Maj-Gen Syed Ithar Hussain Shah.

The sources said the June 21, 2010 communication on the subject “Appointment of station commander, Karachi, as president of Cantonment Board Clifton” reads “After due analysis, it has been determined that administrator DHA should not be president of Clifton Cantonment Board owing to possible conflict of interest situation between the two establishments. While the former is serving authority (DHA), the latter is a local government which has the authority to collect taxes, be responsible for municipal functions and have the authority to make bye-laws. The current arrangement was established previously keeping in view station headquarters - Karachi cantonment with cantonment matters of naval headquarters and air force establishments. After bifurcation of duties, the station headquarters Karachi would now be able to look after Clifton Cantonment Board matters appropriately.

“It has, therefore, been decided by the secretary of ministry of defence to appoint the station commander Karachi as president of Clifton Cantonment Board as is the case with other cantonment boards within the country. You are requested to kindly take necessary action in this regard under intimation to the ministry.”

Responding to queries made by Dawn on Friday — about 19 days after issuance of the letter — DHA Administrator Brig Khalid Tirmizi said he had not received any order relieving him of the additional charge of CBC president. He said such an order would be implemented immediately upon receipt by him.

When contacted, CBC chief executive officer Mahr Hayat also said he had not yet received any such order in writing.

However, the sources said the issue of separating the CBC charge from the DHA administrator's office was being agitated by various civil society organisations, including the DHA Resid-ents Association and the Transparency International-Pakistan.

The other issues being agitated by them was the collection of various fees/taxes, building plans, etc on the grounds that the municipal functions should be handled by the CBC and not the DHA as the latter was a development agency.