Islamabad, July 14, 2025: While the federal government continues to emphasize austerity under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ongoing simplicity campaign, recent developments at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) have raised questions about adherence to this directive.
According to documents obtained by Sub News, CDA board members are enjoying significant financial perks at public expense. Initially, each board member was granted Rs 40,000 per meeting as an honorarium. This was followed by the procurement of new official vehicles for the board members. However, the perks did not end there.
On August 8, 2024, the CDA board approved a summary to allocate a monthly petty cash budget of Rs 200,000 (Rs 2 lakh) for each board member to manage “routine affairs.” This translates into Rs 2.4 million (Rs 24 lakh) per member annually.
A formal notification issued on March 26, 2025 (Letter No. CDA-fw-44(28)2024-25/584) confirms the petty cash allocation. It states that each member has full authority over how these funds are utilized. The annual petty cash budget is to be incorporated into CDA’s overall annual budget. Each month, the respective board member must sign off on the spending with the account officer, though the member retains discretion in finalizing vendors.
Critics point out that these benefits overlap with existing entitlements. Government officials already receive entertainment allowances, and CDA handles fuel and maintenance for official vehicles. Office resources such as photocopiers are also readily available.
Observers are questioning the necessity and justification for such generous allowances. “What additional expenses do board members incur that require Rs 24 lakh annually in petty cash?” the report asks.
The report urges Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to take notice of the matter, suggesting that such privileges undermine the government’s public austerity narrative.
