The Mardan Development Authority (MDA) is supposed to plan and develop the city – the most vital task especially the way population is increasing in our cities and the haphazard way these are expanding – but it is the demolishing officer who currently occupies the seat of deputy director (technical) in this organisation. And this news isn’t a joke.

But it is just one example, as 24NewsHD TV channel reported that the housing officer is currently running the affairs after the project director went on a five-month leave.

The fact that urban planning or development is considered a petty issue in Pakistan is best explained by this MDA episode with many more similar postings. Whether it is the principle of first come, first served or musical chairs, only the MDA can explain this.

Just imagine the job responsibilities of security guards. But they are posted as building inspectors. How they would inspect and declare any structure fit is certainly not a Chinese puzzle.

Meanwhile, all these details are revealed by official documents, available with 24NewsHD TV channel, which also show that the work-charge employees are working on the seats of sub-engineers and several other important posts.

Meanwhile, you can operate computers as computer operators if you are a tractor helper or a junior clerk, at the least the MDA says so.

So it is not a surprise even Sheikh Maltoon Town – the planned and developed locality of the city – is full of encroachments.

It seems there is no one among the high ups to check this state of affairs, as the MDA is moving south just like other organisations because of the government’s negligence.