ISLAMABAD: The prolonged delay in filling 192 posts by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has caused unrest amongst 538 shortlisted candidates.

After passing the test conducted by a reputed university, the candidates appeared before an interview panel last year. The civic agency had decided to fill 192 posts in its engineering, environment and planning wing (BS-13 to 19) through a competitive process. The National University of Sciences and Technology (Nust) was selected for conducting the test.

As many as 538 candidates, who performed brilliantly in the test, were called by the panel and interviewed in December. However, since then the process has been halted.

“After the competitive process, we passed the test conducted by Nust. Based on my score in the test and outstanding interview, I was sure for my selection, but I don’t know why CDA is sitting on our file,” said a candidate, who wished not to be named.

Civic body undergoing rationalisation of posts and abolished over 1,000 vacant and redundant posts, says official

Another candidate said: “We have also filed a case against CDA before the federal ombudsman, but we don’t know why CDA is using delaying tactics,” he said.

The candidates appealed to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to look into the matter and direct the CDA to issue results of the interview.

A senior officer of CDA confirmed that after tests interviews of 538 candidates had been held.

Hiring of three DGs

Meanwhile, the CDA recently invited applications to hire three directors general in BS-20 on a contractual basis, preferably retired commissioned officers from armed forces.

Once hired, it will be interesting to see how the new DGs will work under BS-19 members of the CDA board, as currently two of its members are in grade 19.

A BS-18 officer is looking after the environment wing and it is yet to be seen how the new DG will deal with issues of the wing.

Sources in CDA said in response to an advertisement, the civic agency received a large number of applications, which were being scrutinised.

“Besides, hiring new DGs on contract, CDA should also decide the fate of already shortlisted candidates, who after test and interviews,” said a source.

When contacted, a CDA spokesperson in a written statement hinted that the process for hiring 192 officers had been stopped.

“The recruitment committee overseeing the hiring process and conducting interviews has been abandoned since the majority members have been changed. Additionally, more than six months have lapsed since the process began. The authority is of the view that the recruitment needs to be started afresh,” the statement said.

The spokesperson added that CDA was currently undergoing a rationalisation of posts, having recently abolished over 1,000 vacant and redundant posts as part of the austerity and restructuring measures. “After rationalisation, this authority may carry out a fresh process keeping in view the future needs,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2026