ISLAMABAD: Taking notice of the alleged dilly-dallying of the Establishment Division and the Ministry of Interior, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday gave three days for the transfer of board members of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

“The commission directed the remaining members may be replaced and compliance report be sent within 3 days,” read a letter of ECP, which was issued after the meeting of the commission with the approval of the chief election commissioner.

The ECP on September 5, while referring to this paper’s report and findings of an inquiry, had directed the CDA chairman to post out all members of the CDA board, who have been serving on deputation.

Following the said orders, the interim government transferred only one member (member estate) and stalled the transfer of other officials – member planning, member administration, member finance and member information technology.

Watchdog seeks repatriation of officers who have overstayed their stint in provinces

On Sept 2, the ECP after taking cognisance of the delay issued a show-cause notice to the CDA, asking why the members were not transferred. However, despite the ECP’s remainder, the interior ministry and the Establishment Division remained unmoved. Consequently, on Monday a final deadline of three days was given.

The ECP’s letter addressed to the interior secretary stated, “The Establishment Division secretary also briefed [the commission] regarding the CDA members that [the] member IT being [a] technical post was allowed to continue while [the] member estate has been changed and Mr Tariq Salam (PAS) has been brought in.

“Moreover, the proposal of Dr Khalid Hafiz as [the] member engineering has been approved by the Punjab government being a provincial government officer [he will join as [the] member engineer in place of Munawar Shah who recently reached the age of superannuation]. For other members process of repatriation is underway and will be complied earliest.”

However, after getting the input of the establishment secretary, the ECP gave three days to the CDA for compliance.

Meanwhile, the commission also discussed the transfer issue of the secretariat, office management group, and other occupational groups, including ex-cadre, besides PAS and PSPs who have overstayed in the provinces.

The establishment secretary shared the details of transfer orders issued so far. The commission noted the progress and desired that pending actions, if any, be completed within three days by recalling any officer who has overstayed in provincial governments.

It is relevant to note Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja on September 5 directed for the transfer of CDA board members, who were appointed on deputation, but no action was taken.

A show-cause notice was subsequently served to Chairman Anwarul Haq for non-compliance with the ECP order. The CDA chief has nothing to do with the transfer or posting of the members as the Ministry of Interior, Establishment Division and the federal government are in charge of the transfers.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2023