ISLAMABAD: Tensions between the mayor and the chief metropolitan officer (CMO) have intensified after the mayor opposed a proposal to give an extension to an official who has reached retirement age.

Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz has written to the Ministry of Interior opposing a proposed extension for the chief metropolitan officer, Humayun Akhtar, who will be retiring later this week. Mr Akhtar is also the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) member engineering and had been serving as the chief metropolitan officer on a look-after basis.

Mr Akhtar recently filed a reference against Mayor Aziz levelling several allegations of financial and administrative failure. At the time, Mayor Aziz had claimed the officer was being used against him in exchange for an extension.

The CDA later did recommend an extension for Mr Akhtar.

According to the statement issued by the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) secretariat, the mayor has invoked the extraordinary jurisdiction of sections 74 and 75 of the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Act 2015, according which the chief metropolitan officer is his subordinate and any recommendations in connection with his performance or requirements are “the sole prerogative of the mayor, and no authority can suggest or recommend on his behalf or on behalf of MCI under the rules.”

It also said that Mayor Aziz has alleged that the officersoughtthis extension with ulterior motives and objectives to eventually derail the local government system and the MCI and had beensupporting the CDA.

In a letter to the interior secretary, Mayor Aziz also referred to pending inquiries against Mr Akhtar, for whom a three-year extension has been proposed, and questioned his ability to deliver as an unbiased administrator due to his limited exposure other than a background in engineering.

He said the officer’s performance was very poor and a seasoned officer from regular service other than the CDA and ICT was needed to run the MCI.

“Mayor requested for cancellation and stoppage of any such extension of retiring officer being government’s policy to the secretary MOI in larger interest of the exchequer and MCI,” the statement said.

When contacted, Mr Akhtar said there is no inquiry against him and the mayor’s letter was sent in retaliation for the reference he filed against him.

He said he did not want to continue as chief metropolitan officer, and has asked the government to appoint someone else to the post.

“If the extension is given, I will work as CDA member not CMO,” he said, adding that it was strange for the mayor to question his performance when his own was not up to the mark.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2020