Fallout with city's bigwigs may cost CDA chairman his post.

ISLAMABAD -- Within five months of his posting, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman retired Capt Mohammad Usman has been caught up between two influential stakeholders - a business tycoon and a local politician - for some decisions that may cost him his office.

Dubbed as a 'doer and trusted bureaucrat' of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Mr Usman was brought to Islamabad in August by the federal government to serve as chief commissioner and CDA chairman.

He was given some immediate tasks by the government such as completion of Rawal Dam Interchange, Korang Bridge project and execution of Bhara Kahu bypass, a pet project of the incumbent government.

Talking to Dawn, CDA officials said their chief had delivered well and Rawal Dam Interchange was completed within one month, while the Bhara Kahu bypass project, which was started in October, is in its final stages.

They said the chairman paid a number of visits to Bhara Kahu project site to ensure its timely completion. However, amid all the ongoing work, rumours have started to swirl in the CDA that have caused a certain amount of panic among the staff. Some media outlets have also reported that the CDA chairman is going to be replaced with a former commissioner of Rawalpindi.

Sources say some of his decisions may have upset certain quarters; spokesperson refutes reports, terms it hearsay

A number of stakeholders and government officials were approached by Dawn to determine the authenticity of these unconfirmed reports. Multiple sources said there were four major reasons behind the expected removal of the chairman.

They said a developer, who owed CDA billions of rupees, was apparently unhappy over the working style of the CDA chief, following the issuance of notices to the developer, calling on him to deposit due installments. After this development, coincidentally reports of CDA chief's removal...