ISLAMABAD: Most top members of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) hold dual nationalities, says a report submitted before Justice Shaukat Aziz Saddiqui of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday, reports Dawn.
CDA produced the report before the court during the hearing of a petition filed against the appointment of Kayani as Member Planning. The petition was filed at the IHC in December 2016.
The court solicited a report on dual nationals working at the CDA. In response, the CDA submitted the report during the hearing petition filed against the selection of Asad Mehbood Kayani as Member Planning.
Kayani, who joined the CDA on July 7, 1984, holds a US nationality since 2008. The petition against his appointment was filed in December 2016.
CDA Director Administration Dr Mohammad Fayyaz Lodhi, who joined on February 25, 1988, gained Canadian citizenship in 2008. He also holds the office of Capital Hospital’s Executive Director.
Likewise, CDA Director General (Design) Hafiz M. Ehsanul Haq has maintained Canadian nationality since 2004. Director Parliament Lodges and Hostels, Ayaz Ahmed Khan obtained Canadian nationality in 2010.
Kayani is an engineer by profession and has no experience of planning, argued Advocate Arfat Ahmed in his petition. The CDA Ordnance 1960 and the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planner Ordinance 1983 requires that oversight of the Directorate of Planning and Design must be handled by an eligible Architect, he added.
The petition further argued that Kayani cannot be “the custodian of all maps of sensitive official buildings with national security importance, including the Presidency, Prime Minister House, Foreign Office, Air Force, Naval Headquarters, intelligence agencies headquarters and strategic divisions.”
The court was requested to answer “Whether the respondent (Asad Mehbood Kayani) who is holding the public office of Member (Planning & Design), is legally entitled to hold the said office?”
The advocate said that Kayani has taken leaves from official duties regularly for varying reasons ever since he gained permission to study in the US after becoming part of the CDA in 1984.
Justice Siddiqui said that the IHC cannot proceed with the case as the Supreme Court has already taken suo moto notice of the employment of dual nationality holders in government, judiciary and other public sector organisations. CDA’s counsel apprised the judge that details regarding dual nationalities have already been provided to the apex court.
IHC adjourned the proceeding sine die, given that the matter is pending adjudication by the top court.
Establishment Division Secretary Maroof Afzal was directed by the Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar to submit a report on civil servants holding dual nationalities from Grade 17 to 22 within a fortnight.
The registrars of all superior courts, including the Supreme Court, Federal Shariat Court and five high courts, have been required to provide a list of judges holding dual nationalities.
