Officials accused of influencing investigations and forming ‘internal mafias’ removed from posts
ISLAMABAD:
In a move to curb corruption and maladministration, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has removed 107 officers from grades 19 to 16 from their posts over allegations of graft, abuse of authority and attempts to influence departmental investigations.
According to reliable sources, these officers had long been under scrutiny for alleged involvement in corruption scandals and for manipulating ongoing investigations in collaboration with investigating officers to avoid accountability.
Some were accused of giving and receiving “clean chits” through mutual settlements.
Sources told The Express Pakinomist that three months ago, CDA chairman and chief commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa had secretly asked the member administration to prepare a list – strictly on merit – of officers facing inquiries or those with a tarnished reputation.
The chairman reportedly warned that any bias, favoritism or victimization in the preparation of the list would result in disciplinary action against the officials concerned.
Following these instructions, the member administration completed the process within three months. Chairman Randhawa later called the initiative “Operation Clean-Up” and vowed to purge the CDA of “black sheep” at all costs.
The chairman further directed that additional corrupt officers and officials would also be removed from key posts in the coming days.
Sources said many of these senior officers had for years occupied important positions and formed a powerful internal network that allegedly obstructed routine public affairs to extract personal gains through their subordinates.
Randhawa has directed that if any officer or civil servant is found creating unnecessary obstacles in the legitimate work of citizens in future, they will not only be removed from office but also dismissed from service without pension benefits.
CDA’s legal wing has been tasked with actively pursuing all related cases in court with plans to strengthen it further by hiring competent lawyers. Randhawa said those found guilty would be made an example to deter corruption within the authority.
Among the 107 officers removed are several senior officials including Grade-19 Director Law Abdul Hakeem Berrero, Director of Training Academy and Labor Director Mumtaz Ali Sher, Director Enforcement and Admin HR Law, Deputy General Director (Admin HR) of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad Kashif Shah, Director Mahoodna (Director Mahoodna De Tariwho) Director of E&DM and Operations Zafar Iqbal, who had additional charge of 1122 Emergency Services.
