Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday removed a deputy director, Muhammad Arshad Chohan, over misconduct.

The officer was accused of allowing commercial activities in two industrial plots (405 and 406, Sector I-9). The said plots are currently being used for a car showroom-cum automobile workshop instead of industrial purposes.

Chohan is presently serving as the Federal Employees Housing Foundation planning director on deputation. His last assignment with CDA was Kachi Abadi Cell director.

The inquiry against the accused officer was conducted by CDA Director General Services Najeebur Rehman, which was initiated in October, 2014.

The inquiry officer submitted in its report that the allegations levelled against Chohan had proven true. Subsequently, a charge sheet was issued to the accused officer in January, 2016.

“After considering the inquiry report, written reply of the show-cause notice and oral submissions during personal hearings, the officer has been found guilty of inefficiency and misconduct as per the rules and regulations of CDA,” the report stated.

In June 2016, the CDA chairman had imposed a major penalty on Arshad Chohan on the basis of the findings of inquiry committee and removed him from service. However, the order was held in abeyance in compliance to a court order, issued by the district judge on the application of accused officer.

However, the authority referred the case to Law Directorate for seeking legal advice on whether imposition of a major penalty on the accused officer could be implemented in the presence of court orders.

The Law Associate Council of CDA declared that all requirements and formalities to provide a chance of defence were provided to the officer.

After Law Directorate’s input in the case, the CDA chairman once again approved imposition of a major penalty on Chohan and a notification for his removal from the service was issued on May 2, 2017.

Responding to the allegations, Chohan said: “Today’s notification is totally illegal as the court has already granted a stay order to me against any adverse action on the part of CDA in my case. Contempt proceedings are also underway against those who violated the court orders in the past.”

“I will again request the CDA officials to give me a proper chance of defending myself. I will also challenge this decision in court as I believe that I had done nothing wrong,” he said.

On the other side, a CDA official, requesting anonymity, said that the penalty imposed on the accused officer was irrational as the Public Accounts Committee had only directed to recover the financial loss suffered by the public exchequer.

There is a certain amount of ambiguity in CDA rules and regulations regarding the change of land use.