CADD state minister takes over CDA

[Salman]

Islamabad: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif decided on November 25 to appoint the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) State Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry as the head of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), according to a news source.

Chaudhry, a Member of National Assembly (MNA) associated with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was recently given the reins of the CADD.

Previously, CDA was under the control of the Cabinet Division but after local government elections on November 30, most of the civic authority’s departments will be transferred to the CADD which also looks after Islamabad’s education and health sectors.

Reportedly, a senior CDA official said the PM’s office was not satisfied with CDA’s performance which is why the premier asked Chaudhry to step in.

Chaudhary is known for his support of CDA’s proposal of setting up a housing society on land that houses the National Agriculture Research Committee. This proposal is currently being contested in the top court.

According to some political analysts, the appointment of an MNA from Islamabad as state minister and the decision to give him control of the CDA may be beneficial for PML-N candidates contesting local government elections.

However, PML-N MNA Malik Abrar told a news source that as Chaudhary will not be allowed to take part in election campaigns, he will not be able to influence the outcome in any way.

“It is good news for the people of Islamabad. A minister who hails from Islamabad will resolve their issues,” said Abrar. “People have been suffering at the hands of CDA officers for a long time.”