Daily Times

The Senate standing committee on Interior while spotlighting the irregularities of the former Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) has directed Chairman CDA to submit a comprehensive report on the matter to the committee which will be sent to the Country Corruption watch dog, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for investigation. The former chairman signed and awarded a contract to a private housing society to develop E-11 sector and had released a huge compensation for the owner of the society surfacing massive irregularities.

Chairman of the committee Rehman Malik chaired the meeting and was attended by Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi, Senator Asad Ali Khan Junejo, Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh, Senator Haji Momin Khan Afridi, Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen, Senator Dr. Shahzad Waseem, Senator Kauda Babar and Senator Mohsin Aziz at Parliament House Islamabad.

The Senate panel also discussed in detail the procedure being adopted by the Government for appointment of the chairman CDA. Senate Standing Committee on Interior recommended that the Parliament should do necessary legislation in the appointment of the chairman CDA and the Islamabad High Court may be informed accordingly.

Chairing the committee, Rehman Malik lamented on the transparency of the civic agency and told how (illegally)tender was awarded to a private housing society owner for developing Sector E-11 back in 2012; which SOPs/laws were followed while awarding tender to a private housing society owner. He further added that a huge compensation amount was released to an owner of the private housing society which highlighted massive irregularities and corruption in that project.

“Those who got tender of E-11 are facing couple of cases and been dealt strictly according to the law. Chairman CDA who awarded contract and massive irregularities surfaced will also be dealt according to the law and the whole scam will be sent to NAB for investigation to inquire the corruption and irregularities of all the accused”, Malik added.

Committee unanimously agreed and recommended “The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) moved by Senator Mohsin Aziz. Committee thoroughly discussed and considered the Bill. Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior Senator A. Rehman Malik while highly appreciating the mover said that such legislation is the need of the hour and said the contribution of Senator Javed Abbasi are highly commendable.

Committee directed CDA that list of educational institutions in each sector should share with the committee and also the details of commercial areas and activities in each sector.

Published in Daily Times, February 23^rd 2019.