ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a stay order against the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) decision to induct a revenue officer from Punjab’s Pakpattan district.
As per the details, the CDA had initially requested the services of Naib Tehsildar Hafiz Mohammad Tahir Attar from Pakpattan during the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
However, due to protests by junior revenue officers, the former chairman of the CDA, Amir Ali Ahmed, did not approve his appointment on deputation.
According to CDA officials, Attar’s association with spiritual families in Pakpattan was the reason behind his requisition, but without any solid justification.
Furthermore, his induction took place at a time when the CDA was dealing with billion-rupee cases concerning built-up properties and land in upcoming sectors.
The approval of the naib tehsildar is a prerequisite for processing claims in such cases.
However, the current chairman, Noorul Amin Mengal, allowed Attar’s appointment on deputation, which was subsequently challenged by CDA’s Naib Tehsildar Mirza Saeed Akhtar and others through their lawyer Kashif Ali Malik.
In response, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq stayed the notification for Attar’s appointment.
Besides, the petitioners have filed a challenge against the CDA’s letter dated April 11, 2023, which requisitioned Attar’s services as naib tehsildar in BPS-14.
Advocate Malik argued in court that there are currently four naib tehsildar posts, three in BPS-14 and one in BPS-15.
He further contended that all three BPS-14 posts are filled, and the BPS-15 position can only be filled through promotion.
The lawyer stated that the petitioners were eligible for promotion to BPS-15, but instead of promoting them, the CDA decided to requisition Attar’s services on deputation.
He emphasized that Attar, currently working as naib tehsildar in Pakpattan, Punjab, is unfamiliar with CDA laws as the matters related to land and revenue in the civic body are entirely different from his current role.
After hearing the initial arguments, the IHC chief justice requested a report and detailed comments from the CDA within two weeks, while a stay order was issued against Attar’s appointment.
Source: DAWN
