ISLAMABAD: Taking notice of non-implementation of its order regarding removal of the board members of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) who have been working on deputation, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sought an explanation from CDA Chairman retired Capt Anwarul Haq.

An official of the ECP told Dawn the ECP had sent a reminder to the CDA chairman on September 12 asking him “to state the reasons, if any, for the non issuance of the orders [for the removal of the board members], and immediately take up the issue with the interior secretary.”

The orders for the removal of the CDA’s board of members had been issued by the ECP on September 5 in response to a CDA’s inquiry report and some media reports highlighting the mega land scam at the CDA’s Land Directorate.

“On perusal of the case, the commission has noted that the CDA/ICT Administration plays an important role in conduct of free and fair elections.

“It has been desired as the general elections are at hand, the CDA members may be transferred to the Establishment Division, to the extent of those officers who are on deputation,” read the ECP letter, adding: “Moreover, the officers of CDA Cadre on such senior positions, may be shuffled. In both cases, officers with good repute and neutral dispensation should be posted to ensure conduct of free and fair elections.”

Following the ECP letter, sources said the government sent the member estate to his parent department, but the three other members posted on deputation had not been transferred yet.

Meanwhile, another source told Dawn that the CDA chairman, in compliance with the ECP’s letter, moved a summary to the interior ministry on Wednesday; however, details of the summary could not come to the fore.

“It is not clear whether in the summary, the chairman has requested the interior ministry to take up the case with the federal government for removal of the existing members or he has mentioned something else.

“But, let me say with authority that a summary has been moved,” said another source in the CDA.

Meanwhile, the federal cabinet through a circulation on Wednesday approved the appointment of a new member of the CDA.

The cabinet members approved the name of a grade 19 officer of Pakistan Administrative Services (PAS) Tariq Salam for the post.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2023