Syed Tahir Shahbaz assumes charge as new CDA chairman

[Salman]

The government changed its decision overnight about appointment of Javed Iqbal Awan as the boss of the civic body

Syed Tahir Shahbaz, a grade-21 officer of the District Management Group (DMG), assumed the charge as 27th chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday. The government changed its decision overnight about appointment of Javed Iqbal Awan as the boss of the civic body.

The official sources told ‘The News’ that the Establishment Division withdrew orders on the appointment of Javed Iqbal Awan after the BPS-22 official regretted to head the CDA. Sources said that his friends advised him to keep distance from the CDA where currently it is not possible to take decisions without political interference and pressure.

Syed Tahir Shahbaz was working as additional secretary at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Prior to this, he has served as additional secretary of the Cabinet Davison, joint secretary at the Establishment, Cabinet Divisions and other ministries. He also remained the deputy commissioner, Okara, Punjab, and district coordination officer of Shikarpur, Sindh.

Syed Tahir Shahbaz joined the Civil Service of Pakistan in 1983 after securing third position in the Central Superior Services (CSS) Examination. Having a reputation of a talented, efficient and hardworking officer, Syed Tahir Shahbaz has degrees of LLM and MSc from reputed educational institutions.

He is the fourth CDA chairman in the last little over four years and would be facing a tough challenge to bring the CDA, which is passing through financial crisis and charges of corruption, back on track.

Meanwhile, three new board members, including Member Administration Munir Ahmad, Member Finance Azhar Ali Chaudhry and Member Estate Dr. Shaista assumed their duties on Tuesday. Kazim Ali Niaz, who was notified as member environment, is likely to take charge of his new post today (Wednesday).