In a landmark decision that has sent ripples through Pakistan’s administrative landscape, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the federal government to dissolve the Capital Development Authority (CDA) The verdict comes as part of a judicial review into the legal and administrative functions of the CDA raising serious questions about governance legal mandate and institutional integrity in the federal capital .
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Background of the Capital Development Authority (CDA)
Established in 1960 under the Capital Development Authority Ordinance the CDA has long been responsible for municipal services urban planning and infrastructure development in Islamabad Initially created to manage the city’s expansion and civic amenities the authority quickly grew into a powerful body overseeing land acquisition regulation of real estate and city planning .
Over the years however critics have accused the CDA of mismanagement corruption and lack of transparency Multiple audits and investigative reports have pointed out irregularities in land allocation encroachments and unauthorized constructions as well as inefficiencies in providing basic public services such as water supply sanitation and waste management .
The Court’s Decision
In its ruling the Islamabad High Court stated that the continued operation of the CDA in its current form was unconstitutional and inconsistent with modern principles of governance The judgment authored by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq emphasized that administrative power must be exercised within a framework of legality and accountability .
The Capital Development Authority has outlived its mandate and no longer serves the best interest of the citizens of Islamabad the court noted Its dissolution is essential for the restoration of lawful municipal governance in the capital city .
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The court has directed the federal government to immediately begin the process of dissolving the CDA and transferring its responsibilities to a more transparent and democratically accountable local government structure in line with Article 140A of the Constitution which calls for devolution of political administrative and financial responsibility to elected local governments .
Federal Government’s Response
As of now the federal government has not issued a formal statement responding to the court’s directive However sources within the Ministry of Interior—under which the CDA operates—indicate that legal consultations are underway to determine the best course of action .
Senior government officials speaking on condition of anonymity said the government might consider appealing the decision or seeking a stay order from the Supreme Court Others suggest the verdict could be an opportunity to reform Islamabad’s governance through the establishment of a fully empowered Metropolitan Corporation .
Implications of the Ruling
The IHC’s decision has far “reaching implications for urban governance not only in Islamabad but potentially in other major cities in Pakistan It sets a precedent for judicial intervention in administrative structures that are deemed ineffective or unconstitutional .
Legal experts have largely welcomed the decision Advocate Salman Akram Raja called it a bold and necessary step to bring Islamabad’s governance in line with constitutional principles He added that the CDA had become an unaccountable authority operating without sufficient oversight .
Civil society activists have also voiced support arguing that this could pave the way for genuine democratic governance in the capital We need local governments that are answerable to the people not bureaucratic bodies that function in opacity said Nida Hasan an urban rights campaigner based in Islamabad .
What Comes Next
The court has given no specific timeline for the dissolution process but has mandated the federal government to act without unnecessary delay Analysts believe that this ruling will likely lead to major reforms in the administrative structure of Islamabad possibly culminating in the establishment of a new municipal governance framework led by elected representatives .
The Islamabad High Court’s directive marks a turning point in the capital’s governance signaling an end to decades of bureaucratic control and the beginning of a potentially more transparent and accountable era for the city’s residents The onus now lies on the federal government to act swiftly and responsibly in implementing the court’s decision .