ISLAMABAD, Feb 13: With the commencement of reconstruction phase in the quake-hit areas just a month away, Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (Erra) Chairman Lt-Gen Muhammad Zubair is being replaced by a civilian, official sources told Dawn here on Monday.

They said the incumbent chairman the authority would be appointed head of the Infrastructure Monitoring Unit (IMU) of Planning Commission which monitors mega projects throughout the country.

The sources said that despite an assurance given the government that a mechanism had been put in place to ensure transparency in reconstruction and rehabilitation process, there was mounting pressure from international donors that the Erra should be headed by a civilian answerable to parliament.

Lt-Gen Muhammad Zubair, when contacted, confirmed that he had been given a new assignment. He said the decision had been conveyed to him by President General Pervez Musharraf. The president, he said, desired to see Erra working with a fast pace and informed him about the decision to bring in a civilian as its chairman.

Gen Zubair, during his tenure as the chairman, advocated the philosophy of “slow and steady wins the race”. He time and again said that the pace of reconstruction should be a bit slow in initial stages to ensure proper planning for the momentous task.

Gen Zubair, however, did not offer any comment when asked if he was being replaced on the pressure from opposition. He said he had been given a new assignment and said he would try to discharge his duties in the best possible manner.

Answering a question, he said a roadmap for reconstruction of over 400,000 houses in the quake-hit areas was almost ready and the new chairman would not need to start from scratch.

It is learnt that former Minister for Privatization and Chairman National Technical and Vocational Training Authority Altaf Saleem may become the new chairman. However, Altaf Saleem said he had not yet been conveyed any such decision.