IHC halts CDA recruitment cancellation

IHC halts CDA recruitment cancellation

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) decision to cancel an ongoing recruitment process for several posts, including Building Inspector (BPS-13) and Assistant Director Environment (BPS-17).

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued the interim order on Tuesday while hearing W.P. No. 3657/2026, filed by Muhammad Yousaf and other candidates against CDA.

The petitioners told the court that CDA had advertised several vacancies and invited applications from eligible candidates. They said they applied for the positions, appeared in the written examinations and successfully qualified. However, despite completing the recruitment process, the authority did not announce the final merit list.

According to the petition, the candidates then approached the Federal Ombudsman seeking relief. The ombudsman directed CDA to complete the recruitment process and announce the merit list in accordance with the applicable procedure.

The petitioners alleged that CDA did not comply with the direction. Instead, the authority issued two office orders dated June 17, 2026, cancelling the recruitment process for the affected posts.

Their counsel, Riasat Ali Azad, argued before the court that the decision lacked legal justification and that CDA had acted with mala fide intent. He maintained that candidates who had already taken the examination and qualified should not lose their opportunity because of the authority’s decision to scrap the recruitment process.

After hearing the arguments, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro suspended the operation of the impugned CDA orders until the next date of hearing.

The court also restrained CDA from re-advertising the posts involved in the case. In addition, the authority cannot fill the same vacancies through promotion or transfer while the interim order remains in force.

The IHC issued notices to the CDA chairman and other respondents through Registered Post and TCS and directed them to submit their replies by September 8, 2026.

In another application, C.M. No. 02/2026, the court allowed the exemption sought by the petitioners, subject to all just and legal exceptions.

The case relates to recruitment for technical and administrative positions in CDA. A significant number of candidates participated in the recruitment process for posts such as Building Inspector and Assistant Director Environment and were waiting for the final merit list when CDA cancelled the process.

The court’s interim decision provides temporary relief to the affected candidates and prevents CDA from starting fresh recruitment for the disputed positions.

The authority also cannot use promotion or transfer as an alternative method to fill the vacancies until the matter comes up for further hearing.

The IHC will hear the case again on September 8, 2026. CDA and the other respondents are expected to present their responses before the court on the next hearing date.