The federal government has taken a significant administrative step by removing Muhammad Ali Randawa from his dual roles as Chief Commissioner of Islamabad and Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). This decision was officially announced through a notification issued by the Establishment Division on Wednesday.
New Appointment and Transition Details
In a swift move, the government has appointed Lt (retd) Sohail Ashraf, a Grade-20 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, as the new Chief Commissioner of Islamabad. According to sources, Mr. Randawa has been designated as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and instructed to report to the Establishment Division. It is anticipated that Mr. Ashraf will also assume the additional charge of Chairman CDA, following established past practices within the bureaucracy.
Background of Muhammad Ali Randawa
Muhammad Ali Randawa had been serving as Chief Commissioner Islamabad while concurrently holding the position of CDA chairman since May 2024. His career trajectory includes a notable stint at the Prime Minister’s Office during the early months of the Shehbaz Sharif-led PDM government. Subsequently, he joined the team of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who was then serving as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab.
Over the years, Mr. Randawa has accumulated extensive experience in various key roles. He has held significant positions in Gilgit-Baltistan, served in the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, and acted as deputy commissioner of Rawalpindi. However, his tenure as Chairman CDA faced criticism for allegedly focusing predominantly on constructing a limited number of bridges in Islamabad, rather than addressing broader developmental needs and enhancing service delivery across the city.
Profile of Lt (retd) Sohail Ashraf
The newly appointed Chief Commissioner, Lt (retd) Sohail Ashraf, is widely regarded as a preferred choice of the incumbent Interior Minister, Syed Mohsin Naqvi. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Ashraf was serving as Secretary of the Communications and Works Department in Punjab, where he collaborated closely with Minister Naqvi during the caretaker government setup.
Mr. Ashraf brings a rich administrative background to his new role. He has previously held positions as Commissioner of Gujranwala, Director General of the Punjab Land Record Authority, and Director General of Wildlife Punjab. Additionally, he is the son-in-law of former senior bureaucrat Chaudhry Maqbool Ahmed Dhawala, who has occupied several pivotal roles within Punjab’s administrative framework.
Implications and Future Outlook
This bureaucratic reshuffle underscores the government's ongoing efforts to streamline administrative functions and align key positions with current policy objectives. The appointment of Lt (retd) Sohail Ashraf is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the management of Islamabad's civic affairs, potentially addressing previous criticisms related to development priorities.
As the transition unfolds, stakeholders will be closely monitoring how the new leadership navigates the challenges of urban development and service delivery in the federal capital. The move also highlights the influential role of Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi in shaping administrative appointments within the current government structure.
