ISLAMABAD – The Establishment Division issued a notification for the appointment of Chief Commissioner Islamabad Lieutenant (retd) Sohail Ashraf as Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) with immediate effect. The appointment comes days after Ashraf was posted as Chief Commissioner, following the removal of Mohammad Ali Randhawa from the dual role.
On April 2, 2026, Sohail Ashraf, a BS-20 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, was appointed as Chief Commissioner of Islamabad. The Government of Pakistan’s Cabinet Secretariat Establishment Division issued a notification stating that retired Lt Sohail Ashraf, presently posted under the Government of Punjab, has been transferred and posted as Chief Commissioner, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), under the Interior and Narcotics Control Division, with immediate effect and until further orders.
Removal of Predecessor
Chief Commissioner Islamabad Mohammad Ali Randhawa was unceremoniously removed from the post and asked to report to the Establishment Division. Randhawa had been holding dual offices in Islamabad, including chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
The CDA faced massive criticism recently over the chopping of trees in Islamabad for development projects. Environmental activists and residents had protested against the tree felling, which they said was being carried out without adequate environmental impact assessments or compensatory afforestation plans.
Ashraf’s Professional Background
Ashraf has previously served as Secretary of Communications and Works in Punjab, as well as Director General of the Punjab Land Record Authority. He also held positions as Deputy Commissioner of Faisalabad and Gujranwala.
His experience in land administration and development, particularly his role as DG of the Punjab Land Record Authority, may prove relevant to the challenges facing the CDA, which manages land and development in the federal capital.
Challenges Ahead
As the new CDA chairman, Ashraf faces several immediate challenges:
- Tree felling controversy: Addressing public concerns over development projects that require tree removal
- Infrastructure development: Managing the capital’s growth while balancing environmental concerns
- Land management: Overseeing land allotment and preventing illegal encroachments
- Service delivery: Improving CDA’s responsiveness to residents’ complaints about civic issues
Dual Role Continuation
With Ashraf serving as both Chief Commissioner and CDA Chairman, the dual-role structure that existed under his predecessor continues. This arrangement concentrates significant authority over the federal capital in a single position.
Analysis: A Change at the Top
The appointment of Sohail Ashraf as CDA Chairman comes at a time when the authority has faced significant public criticism over its development policies. The tree-felling controversy, in particular, has galvanized environmental activists and raised questions about the CDA’s commitment to sustainable development.
Ashraf’s experience in land administration, including his role at the Punjab Land Record Authority, suggests that the government is prioritizing land management expertise in the new appointment. However, his background in Punjab may not have prepared him for the unique political and environmental challenges of the federal capital.
The unceremonious removal of Mohammad Ali Randhawa, who had held the dual role, suggests that the government was dissatisfied with his performance. Whether Ashraf will adopt different policies, particularly regarding tree felling and environmental protection, remains to be seen.
For residents of Islamabad, the change in leadership offers hope for a more balanced approach to development. For environmental activists, it is an opportunity to push for stronger protections for the capital’s green spaces. For Ashraf, it is a test of whether administrative experience can translate into effective leadership of one of the country’s most important development authorities.
