Islamabad: An emotional farewell for CDA chairman Kamran Lashari

[Naveed Yaseen]

by Muhammad Anis
Kamran Lashari got the real feeling of love and respect, which the Capital Development Authority (CDA) employees have for him, when he was given a warm send-off at a farewell reception at the Jinnah Convention Centre here on Wednesday.

Before Kamran Lashari left the reception hall, he was given a standing ovation by all those present on the occasion.

The farewell reception was held a couple of hours after Kamran Lashari relinquished the charge of CDA chairman.

Kamran Lashari, in his emotional speech, said that he earned great love and respect from his team in the CDA and citizens of the federal capital. “It was an official assignment but I don’t know from where the emotions had come,” he said.

Recording his feelings, he said that his posting as the CDA chairman was the most memorable one in his career. “I stayed in Islamabad like my own home and tried to serve the city and its people in that way. I am happy that I am departing on a good note,” he said.

He was highly appreciative of his team, saying that his great team helped him in the image building of Islamabad at national and international levels. “The credit of development that took place in Islamabad during my stay goes to my officers and what could not be done was due to my limitations,” he said.

Regarding the new CDA chairman, he said that Tariq Mahmood Khan was not new to Islamabad and CDA as he served the capital as deputy commissioner and for the last three-and-a-half years he was in the civic body.

He said that his relationship with the CDA and Islamabad would be cemented more as he was not going anywhere else and would be just two sectors away.

In his remarks, Tariq Mahmood Khan said that Kamran Lashari ruled the hearts of CDA employees as chairman and he would enjoy the same respect in future as well. “It is the right of Kamran Lashari to continue giving me advise on the CDA working,” the newly appointed chairman said.

Kamran Lashari headed the civic body for nearly five years. He was transferred to Islamabad from the Punjab government and assumed the charge of the CDA chairman on November 10, 2003.

He not only disciplined the CDA but also initiated unprecedented phase of development in the metropolis. His tenure, spanning over four years and eleven months, could be considered as a golden period in Islamabad’s history. The development budget of the civic body jumped from Rs8 billion to Rs24 billion in the financial year 2008-2009.

There are countless development projects which were completed, which are under process and are in planning and tendering stages and set to start in a couple of months. Equal emphasis was paid on development of road infrastructure, recreational and sports facilities and promotion of cultural activities.

The main road projects which were completed during the last five years included 7th Avenue, 9th Avenue, Park Road, expansion and rehabilitation of Nazimuddin Road, Ibne Sina Road, Khayaban-e-Iqbal, Pir Sohawa Road, six underpasses and other road infrastructure while the work on the Islamabad Highway is near completion.

The recreational projects undertaken during the tenure of Kamran Lashari were Lake View Park and Daman-e-Koh View Point. These two recreational spots attract a large number of families, particularly on weekends and holidays. The work on facilities like the Cultural Complex, Art and Craft Village and the Rose & Jasmine Garden near Shakarparian is in progress.

However Saidpur Tourist Village project is closest to the Kamran Lashari’s heart. The place has been turned into a model village and it has also been developed as a tourist spot.

On his last day as CDA chairman, Kamran Lashari visited the Saidpur village to inspect the ongoing work.

During the last five years, the CDA developed various first-class cricket grounds in the capital. Australian cricket team was scheduled to hold practice session at the Diamond Cricket Ground had the Champions Trophy not postponed till 2009.

Commenting on the transfer of Kamran Lashari, a senior bureaucrat said “He is a competent DMG officer. He would deliver wherever he is posted.” He said that Lashari always owes his successes to prayers of his mother who passed away in Lahore a few months back.

He said that Lashari activated his officers from day one of his posting in the CDA and used to call officials to the office even before sunrise for taking a round of under-construction development projects.

The newly-appointed chairman, Tariq Mahmood Khan, has affirmed the commitment that he would continue the pace of development in Islamabad and all projects would be completed according to schedule.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=140096