ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) legal adviser Kashif Ali Malik has tendered his resignation, which the CDA board is reluctant to accept.

The law ministry had recently “disengaged” Mr Malik “with immediate effect” and had notified high court advocate Shahid Naseem Tahir as the civic authority’s legal adviser.

Mr Tahir contested the July 25 elections on a PTI ticket from PP-67 Mandi Bahauddin but lost.

Following the notification by the law ministry, issued without the CDA’s request, the incumbent legal adviser, Kashif Malik on Thursday tendered his resignation as he could only either be removed by the CDA board or if he resigned.

In his resignation, Mr Malik cited personal reasons though sources in the CDA’s Law Directorate said he was upset about the notification for replacing him.

Mr Malik has successfully defended CDA’s interests in many high profile cases including the Grand Hyatt case, the Safa Gold case, encroachments by Centaurus and Marriott and cases pertaining to CDA’s acquired lands and housing societies.

He has also taken steps to stop corruption in the CDA’s Land Directorate and played a leading role in restoring the image of this important directorate.

Several efforts were made in the past too by lobbying groups to replace him due to his unwavering stance in many cases.

According to sources, CDA board members on Thursday expressed displeasure over Mr Malik’s resignation and gave him one more day to review it.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2018