ISLAMABAD: Following the cyber attack on Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) website by Indian hackers, the CDA board on Wednesday decided to engage a cyber security firm to safeguard digital infrastructure and services.

Recently, Indian hackers after hacking CDA’s website put the data on the dark web. However, after a few days, the website was restored, but this hacking raised alarm bells not only in the civic body but at the federal government level as well.

Sources said the PM Office also took notice of this issue and recently a meeting of the federal government IT experts and CDA officials was also called. Besides other agenda matters, the board, which met with CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa in the chair, discussed the cyber security issue.

The board authorised the CDA to engage a cyber security firm under a running contractor to safeguard digital infrastructure and services. Moreover, the board also directed to provide requisite human resources to understaffed technology and digitalisation wing of the CDA. The board also approved the Rehabilitation Regulations 2024. Under these regulations, only financial compensation will be given for acquisition of land and built-up property (BUP) claims.

The CDA has yet to clear large number of BUP claims of local landlords whose land and houses had been acquired by the civic body.

The landlords were entitled to get plots against BUPs for their rehabilitation.

The CDA board, in the light of a recent order of the Islamabad High Court, decided that instead of plot, cash compensation would be made to the land-affected people.

There are conflicting reports about whether this policy would be implemented for future acquisition or would it be enforced for pending cases.

However, one of the officers claimed that it will be implemented for all pending and new cases.

The board also discussed the outsourcing of Gandhara Citizen Club.

The board was told that the CDA wants to outsource the proposed club for running it under profit-sharing formula between private bidder and CDA and this process would be done after competitive process.

The board was told that this club would be opened for all, but members would get some discount while using facilities.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2024