ISLAMABAD: The new government will likely face challenges in addressing civic problems in the federal government, more so due to the ongoing tussle between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), regarding the sharing of assets worth billions of rupees, which were formally owned by CDA.

In a recent letter, CDA Chairman Ishrat Ali had criticised the procedure for the division of assets and properties between CDA and MCI. On Friday, the CDA board also took up the matter and opposed the procedure through which CDA’s assets had been transferred to MCI.

On the other hand, the corporation has defended the way assets were transferred to it from the CDA but is also demanding a share of the CDA’s lands.

“The MCI performs all municipal functions and should be given a reasonable share from the auction of CDA plots. The CDA cannot have sole control of land,” said MCI Chief Officer Syed Najaf Iqbal.

He said that in its meeting on Friday, the CDA board had opposed the previous process of the distribution of assets. However, he said, the board decision does not have weight as the assets were distributed by the former CDA chief and the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) ministry and the law and interior ministries were also on board.

“In response to the board meeting, we are going to write to the CDA, saying that the assets were distributed according to due procedure. MCI should be given its rightful [share] in the taxes CDA charges such as water and conservancy charges,” Mr Iqbal said.

He added that a meeting of stakeholders including the interior and CADD ministries, CDA and MCI will be held soon to sort out these issues.

On the other hand, CDA officials say the authority has been assisting MCI in providing loans and manpower the last two years. They said many of the assets transferred to the MCI through an interior ministry notification were built by the CDA.

Some CDA officials Dawn spoke to said that it was decided earlier that buildings and properties of CDA will be transferred to the MCI for administrative control but the latter is claiming ownership of these assets due to an interior ministry notification.

A CDA member told Dawn that the board had deliberated on the decisions taken by former CDA chairman Usman Bajwa and Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz regarding the transfer of assets.

He said the board had opposed the procedure of the transfers and decided that he issue be taken up afresh.

“CDA wants complete deliberations and discussions before agreeing to transfer assets,” he said, adding that an interior ministry notification of July 16 regarding the transfer of 71 assets of the CDA to MCI was also rejected by the board.

These include CDA’s G-6 building that houses the mayor’s office, F-9 Park, the F-9 Citizen’s Club, Ladies Club, Shakarparian picnic area, Lake View Park, vehicles and other assets.

Last month, CDA Chairman Ishrat Ali had written to the CADD Secretary opposing the transfer of assets and said due procedure was not adopted. He demanded the withdrawal of the interior ministry notification.

Following the local government elections, 23 of CDA’s directorates were fully devolved and 26 were partially devolved to MCI. The services of 10,000 CDA employees were also put under the administrative control of MCI.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2018