Protesters demand mayor be vested with all powers
Many CDA directorates being transferred to newly-formed IMC composed of elected representatives
Days before the inception of first-ever elected Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC), workers of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) under the leadership of Chaudhry Yasin protested at Aabpara Chowk against the division of CDA and protection of rights and future of more than 10,000 CDA employees.
The protesters chanted slogans against the division, and demanded that the process of demarcation be halted. Chaudhry Yasin, on the occasion, said that for the last one year, he was struggling for the reservations and apprehensions of the workers. He also warned of the negative impact of ‘Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Act, 2015’ on the workforce and thanked Chaudhry Nisar who took notice of their demands and also issued instructions in this regard.
Syed Zafar Ali Shah, a prominent politician from the ruling PML-N, said that he respects Chaudhry Yasin and the CDA workers are lucky to have a leader like him. Shah also demanded that the newly elected mayor be trusted with all powers and the CDA should not be bifurcated.
All-Pakistan Akhbar Farosh Federation General Secretary Tikka Khan said that mayor and deputy mayors should be given all powers as he is elected and could better understand the problems faced by public and the workforce.
The unrest among officials and staff is apparent for many months as it is speculated that 70 per cent of personnel of CDA will be transferred to Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC). Presently, the CDA employs more than 15,000 personnel in six wings and dozens of directorates. All the municipal services that include maintenance of roads, parks and water supply will be transferred to CDA. CDA established back in 1960 enjoyed sovereign powers over Islamabad for more than 50 years. The allocation of land, approval of building designs, maintenance of infrastructure, construction of new buildings, regulation of sectors, operations against encroachment and demarcation of land and many more powers were enjoyed by CDA without obstruction of any other body.
Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation headed by its mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz took charge back in the month of March. It is expected that the transfer of personnel and machinery will be completed in a week or two and the transaction will be completed by all means before Eid.