Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Kashif Malik Advocate, a nephew of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, is likely going to be appointed the new Capital Development Authority (CDA) legal adviser. The post fell vacant after the resignation of Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman Advocate.

CDA sources confirmed that Malik was most likely going to be appointed the new legal adviser of the civic body as he had a good reputation within the authority, as well as strong ties to the ruling party.

Malik is already working with the CDA as an additional legal adviser. “He did a remarkable job in the high profile cases assigned to him in the past, including lease cancelation of the Grand Hyatt Hotel and Safa Gold Mall cases in the Islamabad High Court,” sources said.

A deputy director of the CDA Law Directorate, who wished not be named, welcomed the possible appointment of Kashif Malik Advocate. “He is the only one who can withstand the pressure of property tycoons, involved in several high-profile litigation cases against CDA,” he said.

“Earlier, he successfully handled pressure from different quarters in high profile cases. We are hopeful that he will also strengthen the legal side of CDA in future,” the official said.

Hafiz Hafeezur Rehamn had resigned last week as he has likely going to be appointed either in the Drug Court or in the Customs Appellate Tribunal.

Talking to Daily Times, Rehman confirmed his resignation. However, he did not comment on his future appointment.

The Law Directorate of CDA deals with court cases through a legal team, comprising additional legal advisers. It is headed by the legal adviser.

The directorate also has the mandate to provide legal opinion/advice on cases received from different formations within the civic body. Usually the fate of the decisions involving millions of rupees rests on the opinion given by the directorate.

A well-placed source inside the authority revealed that most of the legal advisers of the civic body had strong contacts with private parties. “They favour the CDA’s opponents in courts, instead of the civic body, in return for huge monetary benefits. It is no secret in the authority that the legal advisers are being chosen by private parties to help them win their cases,” a legal counsel working with the CDA said.

Talking to Daily Times, Public Relations Directorate head Mazhar Hussain said that no decision had yet been made on who would be the new legal adviser.

“The appointment will be made after taking all aspects into consideration,” he said.