A controversy has emerged over a recent posting in the Capital Development Authority (CDA) after a Grade 18 officer from Punjab was reportedly assigned the charge of a Grade 20 position in the civic body, prompting questions about the legality and transparency of the move.
The issue came to light when journalist Waseem Abbasi highlighted the appointment on social media, asking how a Grade 18 officer could be directly given charge of a Grade 20 post in the CDA.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on 7 May 2026, Abbasi wrote that “a grade 18 officer [was] given charge of Grade 20 post in CDA directly” and questioned how such an appointment was possible.
A grade 18 officer given charge of Grade 20 post in CDA directly.. How is this possible? pic.twitter.com/BOmoMbCxaZ
— Waseem Abbasi (@Wabbasi007) May 7, 2026
The post, which included an image of the official notification, quickly gained traction online, drawing thousands of views and sparking a wider debate on adherence to civil service rules.
Critics argue that assigning a Grade 20 post to an officer currently serving in Grade 18 appears to bypass established seniority and promotional procedures within the civil service framework.
They contend that such appointments, if made without clear legal justification, can undermine morale among senior officers and raise concerns about favoritism or political influence in key postings.
