Capital Development Authority Islamabad,

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ISLAMABAD - Tuesday was the day full of dramatic developments in the Capital Development Authority. The authority not only got its second chairman within a single day but also the former chairman Farkhand Iqbal in a defiance move challenged his transfer orders in the court of law, terming it “an effort tantamount to political interference”.
Rumours continue to circulate throughout the day among officials and officers of the Authority, giving an unprecedented rise to uncertainty and speculations. Officers remained busy to get-in-touch with the officials of the Establishment Division and other informed quarters while some kept trying to save their postings in the authority.
Around 2:00pm, the Establishment Division notified the appointment of Syed Tahir Shahbaz - a BS-21 officer of Pakistan Administrative Service - as Chairman of the Capital Development Authority. Without any delay, Shahbaz assumed the charge.
While, Javed Iqbal Awan, who was appointed as CDA Chairman a day before yesterday (Monday) was posted as Chairman National Highway Authority (NHA).
Question arises what is the factor, which persuaded authority concerned to make appointments in such haste.
Engineer Farkhand Iqbal, former Chairman of the authority who has been directed to report to his parent department, Planning and Development Division, on Tuesday morning moved the court against his transfer.
In his writ petition, Farkhand Iqbal made as respondent the chairman CDA Javed Iqbal Awan, besides Secretary Cabinet and Secretary Establishment Division.
He prayed the court to grant stay orders against his transfer. On Tuesday, Farkhand Iqbal preformed his duties as Chairman CDA and according to sources made over a dozen appointments in back dates, besides clearing outstanding bills of contractors.
As soon as the news regarding filing of petition and making appointee Javed Iqbal Awan as respondent by Farkhand Iqbal reached quarters concerned, they “promptly” assured the appointment of Syed Tahir Shahbaz as CDA Chairman.
Prior to this posting, Tahir Shahbaz was working as Additional Secretary, Prime Minister’s Secretariat. “Syed Tahir Shahbaz, a grade-21 officer of Pakistan Administrative Service has assumed the charge as new Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) after the Establishment Division has issued the notification to this effect with the approval of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Raja Pervez Ashraf on Tuesday,” said a statement issued by CDA Public Relations directorate.
Sources said that Javed Iqbal Awan who was appointed as CDA Chairman on Monday was not interested in this posting. He had not assumed the charge till Tuesday morning, as he was present in Lahore and also he was made respondent in the writ petition.
Newly appointed CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz has also served as Additional Secretary Cabinet Davison, Joint Secretary in Establishment and Cabinet Divisions and other ministries. He also remained the Deputy Commissioner Okara, Punjab, and District Coordination Officer Shikarpur, Sindh.
The 27th Chairman CDA, Syed Tahir Shahbaz had joined the Civil Service in 1983 after securing third position in the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination. Having the reputation of a talented, efficient and hardworking officer, Syed Tahir Shahbaz has a degree of LLM and M.Sc from reputed educational institutions.