ISLAMABAD; Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep dissatisfaction over the performance of top officials at the Capital Development Authority (CDA), following mounting complaints about substandard construction, financial irregularities, and administrative negligence in the federal capital.
According to official sources, the prime minister is particularly displeased with CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa and Member Administration Talat Gondal, and has decided to relieve both from their posts.
The development follows a series of damning reports submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office, which pointed to widespread mismanagement in key civic and infrastructure projects under the CDA’s oversight.
Sources revealed that the prime minister has already conducted interviews with two former CDA chairmen as part of the process to appoint a new leadership team for the authority. Former Chairman CDA Hamza Shafqat likely the Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner ICT, sources added.
The change at the top comes amid growing concerns about Islamabad’s declining civic standards and the negative impact on the city’s reputation, especially among foreign diplomats and investors.
Among the major issues flagged were irregularities in the Serena Underpass and the Business Facilitation Centre, where contractors allegedly bypassed regulatory requirements, resulting in flawed construction and cost escalations.
Reports also surfaced revealing that electricity bills for decorative LED lights installed across the city were being paid from government funds rather than being covered by the relevant contractors or departments.
Another serious concern involved drainage and sewerage problems in the high-security Diplomatic Enclave. These problems have reportedly led to damage to several foreign diplomatic missions, prompting a number of European embassies to formally lodge complaints with the Prime Minister’s Office. The situation has become diplomatically sensitive, with Islamabad’s civic issues now affecting Pakistan’s relations with foreign missions.
Sources also highlighted that the Tayyip Erdogan Interchange project, once hailed as a symbol of bilateral ties with Turkey, has suffered from construction flaws that may compromise its structural integrity. Officials have warned that the poor quality of work has already damaged Pakistan’s image as a country struggling to manage its capital city’s infrastructure responsibly.
A separate report submitted to the prime minister pointed to alleged embezzlement in a Rs 500 million development project, further raising questions about transparency and accountability within the CDA. Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is said to be displeased with the manner in which CDA officials have treated elected representatives, with reports of discourtesy and lack of cooperation surfacing in recent weeks.
Given the severity of these issues, the removal of Randhawa and Gondal now appears imminent. An official notification confirming their termination is expected shortly.
This isn’t the first time a CDA administration has come under fire. In recent years, successive governments have struggled to bring sustained reforms to the authority, which has often been criticized for its bureaucratic inefficiencies, politicization, and lack of accountability. With Islamabad’s population rapidly growing and its infrastructure under increasing strain, the federal government is under pressure to appoint a more capable and transparent leadership to restore public trust and ensure better urban governance.
