Karachi: Violation of Supreme Court and Sindh High Court orders has been witnessed in Karachi Development Authority (KDA).

In a fresh order issued by KDA Secretary Shams-ul-Haq Siddiqui with approval of Director General Muhammad Ali Shah found a sheer violation of top court order. In an order issued on August 23, 2022, KDA secretary with approval of DG gave an additional charge of post of Addl Director (E&E) to Shahzad Ahmed in Directorate of Estate and Enforcement, KDA in addition to his own duties. Order stated Shahzad Ahmed, an officer of (BS-18) presently posted as Addl Director (Land matters) in Scheme-41, Surjani Town is hereby allowed to hold additional charge of post of Addl Director (E&E), Directorate of Estate and Enforcement, KDA in addition to his own duties with immediate effect and till further orders.

Shahzad Ahmed alias Behari is originally an employee of Malir DMC. His parent department is Malir DMC as he joined district Municipal Corporation as his first posting.

Further in his service career, Shahzad Behari was absorbed in KDA. In 2015, he appointed as project director in KDA Surjani Town Scheme 41. He served at post for almost two years. Following top court order in June 2014 regarding own pay scale/additional charge, Sindh High Court issued order in February 2022, too. In SHC order, it barred government officers on OPS/additional charge.    KDA Secretary Shams-ul-Haq said authority is not involving in any violation of court orders, adding authorities are distributing workload among officers. KDA secretary said Shahzad Behari was came to him and stated that encroachment is on rise at Scheme 41 in Surjani Town, but none of KDA E&E department officials come to demolish on-going encroachment. In light of his concern, KDA high-ups decided to give an additional charge to Shahzad Ahmed.

Siddiqui said KDA Officer Jamil Baloch is remained at post of addl. director Estate and Enforcement, but it is not possible that one man can manage and initiate anti-encroachment operations at same time across city. KDA secretary accepted error made in order issued by him in which it stated Shahzad Ahmed is now holding an additional charge of KDA E&E addl. director. "Order needs rectification, as KDA is giving an additional charge to Shahzad Ahmed for anti-encroachment's addl. director for Surjani Scheme-41 only and not for entire city," Siddiqui maintained.      He said rectification in office order would be performed today, adding fresh order in this regard would be issued.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 26 2022

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