ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges on Monday grilled the Capital Development Authority (CDA) over alleged illegal plot transfers.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Waqar Mehdi at the Parliament House, took up a wide-ranging agenda involving the CDA, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and concerns regarding the misuse of institutional affiliations by former government officials. The committee raised serious questions over multiple illegal property transfers. Senator Rubina Khalid repeatedly asked how a single plot had been transferred five times at the CDA office, saying the authority had failed in its responsibility to protect affectees. CDA officials were unable to give a satisfactory explanation.
Mehdi questioned, “Where should the fifth-hand buyer go now?” CDA officials further disclosed that each farmhouse under inquiry is valued at approximately Rs1.5 billion, with numerous cases currently pending before courts.
Senator Palwasha Khan criticized institutional inefficiencies, stating, “the FIA itself is a corrupt institution, and the NCCIA is also a corrupt institution.” She recommended that all cases related to wrongful plot allotments be handed over to the NAB. The CDA chairman expressed readiness to provide records and refer the matter to the NAB if required.
Taking up the issue of the missing file of House No. 522, Street 99, Sector I-10/4, Islamabad, Senator Mehdi expressed strong concern over the plight of the affectee who has suffered due to CDA negligence. “He is a salaried-class person—why should he suffer because of the careless attitude of CDA officials? What is his fault in this negligence?” he remarked. He directed that the pending court case be expedited and a follow-up report submitted without delay.
CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa briefed the committee, stating that records have been scanned through the Punjab Land Revenue Authority and that the CDA is proceeding professionally with cases pending in courts. “We will implement the court’s decision,” he assured. He added that land records are being computerized and cases involving corrupt officials are being referred to the FIA. “Let the court decide—we will fight our case in court,” he said.
The committee reviewed the compliance report submitted by the PTA regarding its recommendations of 15-09-2025. The PTA stated that its mandate under Section 37 of PECA is limited to the removal or blocking of unlawful online content. The video uploaded by Rizwan Razi, containing objectionable content targeting the Sindhi community, had already been edited by the publisher, so no channel-level blocking was initiated. The PTA informed the committee that 23 URLs containing the offending material were identified; 12 were blocked, 7 were rejected by platforms, and 4 remain under review. The PTA further clarified that investigation and prosecution under PECA lie outside its mandate and advised complainants to approach the appropriate legal forum.
The committee also reviewed the FBR’s submission on the transfer and posting of Customs officers in Balochistan, following scrutiny by a joint FBR-Senate committee. The FBR report stated that transfer orders had been issued based on intelligence agency findings indicating facilitation of smuggling. Numerous officials—including sepoys, inspectors, and superintendents—had been removed for similar reasons and have not been reposted despite repeated attempts. The FBR explained that strict disciplinary action is difficult without concrete documentary evidence, which is typically unavailable in anti-smuggling operations, making transfers the most effective tool to disrupt “smuggling networks.” Two transfer orders have been issued, with one more expected soon, while five officials will not be reposted to avoid compromising anti-smuggling efforts.
The committee also examined concerns regarding Dr Nadeemul Haque, former Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and ex-Vice Chancellor PIDE. The committee was informed that he had been fined over a harassment conviction and had shown repeated disregard for parliament. Despite this, he continued to publish articles using his former government designations, which the Planning Commission termed misleading and damaging to institutional credibility. The committee expressed serious concern, observing that his conduct and writings indicated he might be suffering from a “mental disorder.” It directed that media outlets be advised not to publish his articles and recommended the formulation of guidelines to prevent misuse of former state affiliations in editorial content.
The committee then reviewed a privilege motion moved on 15-08-2025 regarding the abduction and subsequent recovery of the dead body of Musavir Khan Kakar. Officials briefed the committee that kidnappers had demanded Rs700 million ransom from a jewellery trader, and upon failure of payment, the child was murdered. His body was recovered from an isolated location, and a postmortem has been completed. The department issued an upfront apology for its absence from the previous meeting.
Senator Mehdi expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Quetta and announced that the committee would undertake an on-ground visit to receive detailed briefings from relevant authorities.
Concluding the meeting, Mehdi reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to transparency, stating that all institutions must respond effectively, furnish complete records, and protect the public interest.
