No rule of law when it comes to CDA

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

F-9 Park land dished out to lowest bidder for peanuts
* Is it the doing of Mustafain Kazmi or the board?
* Spokesperson says it’s board’s decision

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) not only changed the master plan of F-9 Park situated in the heart of federal capital, but also doled out its prized land for peanuts by rejecting the highest bid in complete disregard for all relevant rules and regulations, reveal various official documents.

The documents obtained by Daily Times revealed that the park’s land was supposed to be licensed on yearly basis as per the directions of CDA Board of Directors, but the authority even did not adhere to it and licensed the land for 20 years to the lowest bidder with the provision of extension for another 20 years.

Who showered these bounties on Azaz Jaffri, the CEO of S&S Enterprises and an acquaintance of Dr AQ Khan, is a mystery. Many in CDA point a finger at the then deputy director of the Directorate Municipal Administration and in charge of park project, Mustafain Kazmi. However, Spokesperson for CDA Ramzan Sajid claimed that it was a decision of the board and not an act of a single person. Since the matter is in the court, he refused to make any further comments on this issue.

Official documents further reveal that the CDA legal adviser had opposed the long-term licensing of the park’s land to Jaffri by writing his dissent note, “a lease has been executed in the garb of a license”. Still the 1.5 acres land was handed over to Jaffri, who many believed, was front man of Brig ® Iftikhar Ahmed Chaudhry. The documents submitted to the court reveal that Jaffri made room for the retired brigadier to assume the charge of the whole project by becoming the CEO of the S&S Enterprises.

Kazmi, now director general and member of the CDA board, figures in the documents again, because despite having no authority to execute a lease, he did it bypassing not only rules, but also the legal adviser and the Directorate of Estate Management of the authority. It is learnt that his patronization allowed S&S to occupy the park’s land at will thus constructing huge commercial ventures including a bowling club and a multi-national food chain restaurant.

Though, the court has been informed that many of the illegal constructions stand demolished, but still many exist there carrying on commercial activities in violation of court orders in 2006.

Sajid, who did not have any clue about this, promised to get back to Daily Times with full facts, but failed to do so despite consuming more than 24 hours.

Sources said Kazmi claimed to have links with the higher command of Pakistan People’s Party and some top-notch bureaucrats, both in the Presidency and the PM’s House.

His two promotions, unprecedented in the history of CDA, in a single year, are a testimony to his connections, which have become a real bugging force for all high-ups in the authority. His sources and resources managed him to even by-pass the requirement of NIPA (National Institute of Public Administration) course. Kazmi was promoted from grade 19 to 20 and then he was made Member (admin) of the Board of Directors of CDA.

Replying to a question in this regard, the CDA spokesperson claimed that NIPA requirement was made mandatory only in 2010, whereas Kazmi was promoted earlier. However, many serving and ex-officials confirmed that NIPA course was a must for all cadre and ex-cadre employees.

Official documents further reveal that Kazmi, who served in the Directorate of Sanitation as deputy director and then director, throughout his tenure outsourced the sanitation projects to various contractors at a whopping cost of Rs 12 billion for seven years. The official spokesperson’s response on this is still awaited.