KARACHI, Nov 22: Brig A. S. Nasir, who holds the additional charge of Chief Controller of Buildings, Karachi Building Control Authority, has promoted five deputy controllers from grade 18 to 19, evading all the basic requirements and surpassing the competent authorities in this regard.

Though Brig Nasir also holds the position of Chairman of the Governor’s inspection team, he does not have the authority to promote grade 18 officers. Even, the powers to elevate a grade-18 officer to grade-19 had not been vested in the Director General of the defunct KDA. Under the prevalent rules, a Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) of the defunct KDA was authorized to promote grade-18 officers to the next grade. The committee was headed by the provincial secretary, Housing and Town Planning, with the KDA’s Governing Body as its members.

However, the CCOB issued an office order in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the KBCA to promote the five Deputy Controllers of Buildings (DCBs) — Muhammad Shafiq, Mumtaz Haider, Atiq Baig, Manzoor Qadir and Capt. (r) Shahid Waseem — as Controllers of Buildings (COBs).

Another six officers of BPS-18 have been granted move-overs to the next grade. They are Farhatullah Qureshi, Mohsin Khan, Abdul Qadir Memon, Ashkar Dawer, Mehmood Ali and a retired DCB, M. Fareeduddin.

Furthermore, two administration officers, Mohammad Ahmed and Tasleem Ahmed, have been promoted from grade-17 to 18.

The KBCA has been devolved to Works and Services Department of City Government but it is significant to note that none of the officials, including the City Nazim, DCO Karachi or EDO Works and Services, were consulted by the CCOB on granting the promotions.

As a matter of fact, Brig Nasir had been transferred all the powers vested in the post of the Chief Executive of the KBCA. The powers were eventually exercized by the Director General of the KDA. However, an order issued last month clearly stated that the CCOB of KBCA was entrusted with dealing with the situation effectively. The order further stated: “these powers are to be exercized in terms of transfers and Efficiency/ Disciplinary proceedings, however, the powers vested in Chief Secretary, Minister and the Governor remain unchanged.” — PPI