Senate Passes Capital Development Authority Amendment Bill, 2022

ISLAMABAD: The Senate recently approved the Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which aims to further modify the provisions of the CDA Ordinance, 1960, which had already been approved by the National Assembly.

The bill was introduced in the Senate by Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan, who acted on behalf of the Minister for Interior.

The reason for the amendment to the CDA Ordinance, 1960 stems from a judgment made by the Islamabad High Court in December of 2017.

The court’s ruling set aside the appointment of former Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz as a member of the CDA Board and as the chairman of the CDA.

In order to clarify the process for appointing the chairman and members of the CDA Board, it was decided to amend the relevant sections of the CDA Ordinance, 1960.

In 2018, the government proposed changes to the criteria for the appointment of the CDA chairman and board members through the CDA Amendment Ordinance, but those changes lapsed after 120 days.

Furthermore, the purpose of the current amendment to the CDA Ordinance, 1960 is to address the issues raised by the Islamabad High Court’s ruling and to ensure compliance with its order.

The goal is to establish a clear and transparent process for appointing the CDA chairman and board members.