ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday disposed of a case regarding the repatriation of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) board members after two out of three members were sent back to their parent departments in compliance with the watchdog’s order.

The remaining member, who heads the administration wing at the civic agency, will also be repatriated shortly, the ECP was informed during a hearing of the case. The commission was apprised orders for the removal of members of planning and finance wings have been issued, whereas the administration member would be removed soon. Subsequently, the case was disposed of.

Federal government officials told Dawn the orders for two members had been issued whereas the directives for the removal of the remaining official would be issued on Tuesday night or today as the order was under process. By the time this report went to press, the order had not been issued.

The post of the member engineering is already lying vacant after the retirement of former member Syed Munawar Shah. Now, the posts of members of planning and finance wings have been vacant as well; the post of the member administration will also fall vacant soon. “All these four posts will be filled since the government has been working to compile a panel of three candidates against each post. Soon, new appointments will be made,” said a senior officer.

Official says govt constituting panel of three candidates against each post

The ECP on September 5, while referring to this paper’s report and findings of an inquiry, had directed the CDA chairman to post out all members of the CDA board, who have been serving on deputation.

Following the said orders, the interim government transferred only one member (member estate) and stalled the transfer of other officials – member planning, member administration, member finance and member information technology.

On Sept 12, the ECP after taking cognisance of the delay issued a show-cause notice to the CDA, asking why the members were not transferred. However, despite the ECP’s remainder, the interior ministry and the Establishment Division remained unmoved. Last Monday, a final deadline of three days was given.

The ECP had directed the CDA to remove board members working on deputation ahead of general elections to ensure fair play in elections. “On perusal of the case, the commission has noted that the CDA/ICT Administration plays an important role in the conduct of free and fair elections.

“It has been desired as the general elections are at hand, the CDA members may be transferred to the Establishment Division, to the extent of those officers who are on deputation,” read the ECP letter of September 5.

“Moreover, the officers of CDA Cadre in such senior positions may be shuffled. In both cases, officers with good repute and neutral dispensation should be posted to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections,” it added.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2023