By Dr Lubna Farah
Islamabad:A Capital Development Authority(CDA), is facing serious allegations of administrative inefficiency, financial corruption, mismanagement and widespread nepotism, raising concerns about its future viability.
According to sources, the institution has been pushed to the brink of collapse due to poor governance, lack of accountability, and persistent negligence by senior officials and staff.
Despite having sufficient workforce and resources, the authority has increasingly relied on outsourcing services, sparking questions about transparency and misuse of public funds.
Analysts suggest that internal inefficiencies, combined with alleged corruption, have significantly undermined the institution’s performance.
One of the key factors contributing to the deteriorating situation is said to be the negative role of labor unions. Reports indicate that CDA labour union have been pressuring the administration, leading to reduced productivity and a culture of work avoidance among employees.
Public concerns have surfaced regarding reports of a tea stall (Chaye Khana)being set up within the Chak Shahzad CDA nursery/ green areas, further fueling debate over administrative priorities and resource utilization.
In a recent development, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) awarded a contract worth PKR 3.1 million for plantation work—including flowers and plants.
The decision has drawn criticism, as the CDA already operates its own nurseries and employs around 150 staff for horticulture-related tasks.
Questions are being raised about why such work is outsourced despite the availability of in-house facilities and manpower.
There are also claims that instead of cultivating plants internally, the authority is purchasing them from the market and then placing them in its nurseries—an approach critics argue defeats the purpose of maintaining such facilities.
Amid growing scrutiny, the government is reportedly considering either shutting down the institution or merging it with another organization to prevent further losses and restore efficiency.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for reforms, transparency, and strict accountability measures to address corruption and improve institutional performance before irreversible damage occurs.
