ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has approved the inclusion of former Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman Kamran Lashari in the new 10-member board constituted to manage the affairs of the civic authority despite the fact that he is accused in a corruption reference.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is probing Lashari over his alleged involvement in diplomatic shuttle scandal. The reference was filed on May 7, 2019.
According to documents, the federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the appointment of renowned architects Nayyar Ali Dada and Ali Asghar, Brigadier (r) Nadeem Rehmatullah, Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) Vice Chancellor Muhammad Ali and retired civil servant Kamran Lashari in the newly-constituted board. The documents further stated that the appointments are subject to necessary security clearance.
The documents also state that the federal government has made some changes in a bid to restructure the civic agency. It has directed that the post of CDA managing director (MD) be advertised and until then Islamabad Chief Commissioner Aamir Ahmed Ali would continue to supervise CDA. The slot for the MD is expected to be filled in the next three months from the private sector.
Sources revealed that the government has also approved the appointment of five government officials, including chief commissioners of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in the new CDA board. Sources added that the cabinet rejected Interior Ministry’s proposal to provide vehicles, chauffeurs and 250 litres of fuel to the board members hailing from the private sector. They said that the cabinet also ignored a proposal floated by some federal ministers pertaining to enhancement in the number of government sector board members against the private sector board members.
Sources said that the cabinet decided against changing the powers of the CDA board except the powers of the executives. They also said that a tribunal will be formed to decide on the appeals filed against the decisions of the CDA and the Islamabad chief commissioner will be its convener. In case of difference of option among the members of the tribunal, sources added, the matter would be forwarded to the president. Sources further said that a draft of CDA Tribunal Ordinance 2019 has already been forwarded to the Ministry of Law and Justice for approval.
According to sources, the security clearance of five board members is under process and it is expected that the anti-graft watchdog will oppose Lashari’s appointment as a board member. The government can withdraw his appointment till the accountability court decides the diplomatic shuttle scandal, sources concluded.
