Latest news with #CDA
Arab News
15 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Islamabad's mission, Saudi non-profit join hands to assist Pakistani special needs children in Kingdom
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani embassy in Riyadh has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia's Children with Disabilities Association (CDA) non-profit group to provide Pakistani children with special needs in the Kingdom with a 60 percent discount on clinical and rehabilitation services at CDA facilities, Pakistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia said on Sunday. Founded in 1982, the CDA is one of the largest child rehabilitation institutions in the region, providing care and support through rehabilitation and education to disabled children from birth until they are 12 at 11 CDA branches supported by a community of 4,900 members. Pakistan's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq and CDA Board of Directors Chairman Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz signed a cooperation agreement in Riyadh on June 24 for Pakistani special needs children for a period of one year, extendable with the mutual consent of both parties. 'We are pleased to share that a long-standing demand of our community has been fulfilled,' Ambassador Farooq told Arab News, adding that the embassy can now refer specially abled Pakistani children below the age of 14, who require evaluative clinic and rehabilitative services, to the CDA. 'All centers of the association will offer these children the support they need, including a 60 percent reduction in their rates.' The Pakistani envoy said the CDA would offer rehabilitative services to these children in both English and Arabic languages, and thanked Prince Sultan for his support in this regard. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense, cultural and brotherly relations. The Kingdom is home to over 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates and serves as top source of remittances to the cash-strapped South Asian country. To avail this service, Ambassador Farooq said, Pakistani community members will have to send a written request to the embassy, including full name, age and passport details of the child. 'Upon receiving requests, the embassy will refer them to the association for further processing, after which the child will be enrolled as a student at a [CDA] center,' he said, hoping this important step will not only address the immediate needs of the community but will also help build confidence in the mission's public service. The implementation of the cooperation instrument began on the date of signing of the agreement between both sides and will remain in effect for one year, according to the agreement seen by Arab News. The agreement was driven by the Pakistani mission's interest in providing rehabilitation services to the expat community and the CDA's goal to enhance the level of services provided to children with disabilities in different regions of the Kingdom, whether citizens or residents. 'The second party [CDA] will offer a special discount for assessing and providing rehabilitative services to referred beneficiaries,' the document said, adding that the beneficiaries' guardians were responsible for covering the costs of assessment and therapeutic services after the discount was applied. It stated that the association would provide an annual report on the services rendered to patients under this cooperation. 'A contact officer and coordinator shall be appointed by both parties, with each party providing the other with names and information before commencing work under this instrument of cooperation,' the document said.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
IHC orders abolition of CDA
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday ordered the federal government to dissolve the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and transfer all its powers and assets to the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI). In a detailed verdict, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani ruled that the CDA has no legal authority to impose taxes. The court further declared that any amount collected by the Authority from individuals or institutions under the guise of "Right of Way" or direct access charges must be refunded. The federal government was instructed to initiate and complete the process of dissolving the CDA and transfer all its powers and assets to the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI). The judgment emphasised that the rights of Islamabad's citizens must be protected under the law. The ruling was issued in response to a petition filed by Taj Residencia Housing Society and its residents. The court also declared SRO dated June 9, 2015 — regarding CDA's right-of-way and access charges — null and void, along with all actions taken under it, labeling them as illegal. Any funds collected under this SRO must be returned. Justice Kayani noted that the CDA Ordinance was originally enacted to establish the federal capital and oversee its development, but due to evolving governance structures and new laws, its practical relevance has ended. The original objectives of the CDA have been fulfilled, and it is now appropriate for the government to formally dissolve the authority. The court also directed that following the transfer of powers, the Islamabad administration must operate in a transparent and accountable manner. The judgment reaffirmed that Islamabad's entire administrative, regulatory, and municipal framework is governed by the Local Government Act, which mandates that no tax could be imposed without the approval of the elected local government. Therefore, CDA lacks any legal authority to levy taxes. It is worth noting that CDA had imposed right-of-access charges on petrol pumps and CNG stations, and direct access taxes on private housing societies for connecting to main roads. These charges were challenged in the IHC, resulting in this significant decision. Rains prompt monsoon action On the other hand, the CDA has finalised a special action plan for the monsoon season and issued a notification outlining the responsibilities of all relevant departments to ensure effective implementation. On the instructions of CDA Chairman, Member Administration Talat Mehmood has been assigned to oversee the plan. According to the notification, special teams will be deployed following a survey of illegal basements and low-lying areas. Flood relief camps and other safety measures will be established to handle any emergency situations. A Flood Relief Cell will remain operational from July 1 to September 30, headed by the Director of Emergency and Disaster Management. A dedicated helpline will also be set up, and assistance will be available via rescue and fire brigade services. Heads of relevant departments will appoint focal persons at the relief camps. The sanitation department will operate under the authority of the relief camps. A special operation will be launched against makeshift houses and illegal constructions.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dissolve CDA, transfer powers to MCI, IHC tells govt
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday directed federal government to dissolve Capital Development Authority (CDA) and transfer all of its assets, powers and duties to Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI). The High Court also declared the CDA's move to impose right-of-way charges in return for providing direct access to petrol pumps and CNG stations from major highways as illegal. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani issued a written judgment. CDA, MCI directed to address issues facing street vendors/stallholders The court declared the CDA's SRO on right-of-way and access charges null and void and said that the federal government should initiate and complete the process of dissolving CDA. All powers and assets should be transferred to MCI. The written decision states that all the steps of the CDA under the SRO are declared illegal, if the CDA has received any money from anyone under the SRO, it should be returned. The Islamabad High Court said that the CDA Ordinance was enacted for the development works, the practical usefulness of the CDA Ordinance has been lost with the new laws and governance. The court said that it should be ensured that after the transfer of powers, the Islamabad administration is transparent and accountable, the protection of the rights of the citizens of Islamabad should be ensured under the law, and all administrative, regulatory and municipal framework of Islamabad works under the Local Government Act. The written decision states that the Islamabad Local Government Act is a special law for governance through elected representatives. According to the law, taxes cannot be imposed without the approval of the local government. The CDA has no legal authority to impose taxes. It should be noted that the CDA had imposed a right of access tax on petrol pumps and CNG stations. In addition, a direct access tax was imposed on housing societies from the main highway.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
President, PM condemn North Waziristan attack, vow to defeat terrorism
Listen to article President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday strongly condemned the suicide attack on security forces in North Waziristan, terming it a cowardly act sponsored by external forces aiming to destabilise the country. In their separate statements, the president and the prime minister paid tribute to the 13 soldiers martyred during the operation and praised the security forces for eliminating 14 terrorists in the ensuing exchange of fire while offering prayers for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families. Both leaders also wished a swift recovery for the three civilians – including two children and a woman – who were injured in the attack. Read More: 13 troops martyred in suicide attack on military convoy in North Waziristan President Zardari said the Pakistani nation and its armed forces were determined to uproot terrorism, particularly the 'Indian-sponsored' networks operating in the region. He stressed that the sacrifices of the martyrs would never be forgotten and that national resilience would prevail over all attempts to destabilise the country. Prime Minister Sharif, in his statement, said the nation saluted the martyred personnel and stood united in its resolve to eliminate terrorism in all its forms. He reiterated that such cowardly acts would not shake Pakistan's commitment to peace and security. The coordinated attack occurred early Saturday morning in Dandi Dir Dawani village of Mir Ali tehsil, where a suicide bomber targeted a military convoy. According to sources, the incident took place at 7:45am during curfew hours imposed due to troop movements. Also Read: CDA to be dissolved, all powers to shift to Metropolitan Corporation: IHC The Inter-Services Public Relations, in a statement, confirmed the loss of 13 servicemen and injuries to three civilians in the suicide attack. The military's media wing said the bomber's vehicle was intercepted by the lead group in the convoy, but the attackers managed to detonate the explosives, resulting in significant casualties. Following the blast, a sanitisation operation was launched in the area. In a separate statement, the ISPR said 14 terrorists were killed in the ensuing exchange of fire. The operation was still ongoing to clear the area of any remaining threats, it added. A relatively lesser-known militant outfit, Aswadul Harb, claimed responsibility for the attack and identified the suicide bomber as a man named Abdullah. The group is reportedly linked to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur network, a faction aligned with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), believed to be operating from safe havens in Afghanistan's eastern Khost province. Read More: What India calls 'terrorism' is a legal struggle for rights: field marshal Army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir paid tribute to the fallen soldiers and vowed to unmask what he called the 'true perpetrator of terrorism in the region.' He praised the courage and professionalism of the troops involved in the operation, stating that the armed forces 'continue to confront and neutralise the Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij with exemplary valour.' 'The people of Pakistan stand united in their resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations until the threat is decisively eliminated from the country,' the ISPR quoted the army chief as saying.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CDA to be dissolved, all powers to shift to Metropolitan Corporation: IHC
Listen to article The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the federal government to dissolve the Capital Development Authority (CDA). In a written verdict, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani ruled that the CDA has no legal authority to impose taxes. The court stated that if any individual or institution has been charged by the CDA under the names of 'direct access' or 'right of way' charges, such amounts must be refunded. The federal government has been directed to begin and complete the process of dissolving the CDA. Justice Kayani further ruled that, after dissolution, all powers and assets of the CDA should be transferred to the Metropolitan Corporation. The rights of Islamabad's citizens must be safeguarded under the law. The decision came in response to a petition filed by the Tijji Housing Society and its residents. In the judgment, the court nullified the CDA's SRO (Statutory Regulatory Order) dated 9 June 2015 concerning right of way and access charges. All actions taken by the CDA under this SRO were declared illegal, and the court ordered that any money collected under it must be refunded. Read: Temporary CDA staff regularised The judgment observed that the CDA Ordinance was originally enacted for the establishment of the federal government and for carrying out developmental work. However, with new legislation and governance structures in place, the ordinance has lost its practical relevance. The court concluded that the purpose of establishing the CDA has now been fulfilled and that the government should proceed with its dissolution. It also directed that the administration of Islamabad must remain transparent and accountable after the transfer of powers. Additionally, the verdict stated that all administrative, regulatory, and municipal functions in Islamabad fall under the Local Government Act, which provides for governance through elected representatives. Under this law, taxes cannot be imposed without the approval of the local government. Therefore, the CDA has no legal authority to impose taxes. It is worth noting that the CDA had imposed right-of-access taxes on petrol pumps and CNG stations, and direct access taxes on private housing societies with roads connecting to main highways, all of which were challenged in the High Court.
