The Federal Ombudsman has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to announce the merit list for multiple recruitment positions within 30 days, ruling that the prolonged delay in finalizing the hiring process was unjustified.

The order was issued on complaints filed by six candidates, including Amir Ullah, who argued that CDA had failed to release recruitment results despite completing all stages of the selection process.

According to the Ombudsman’s findings, the candidates applied for technical and administrative posts advertised by CDA on February 23, 2025. Computer-based screening tests were conducted by the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in May 2025, while interviews took place between December 18 and December 31, 2025.

During the proceedings, CDA confirmed that the recruitment exercise, including screening tests, evaluations, and interviews, had been completed. However, the authority attributed the delay in announcing the merit list to changes in management, stating that final approval from the competent authority was still pending.

The complainants contended that keeping the results pending for nearly five months after completion of the selection process amounted to maladministration and sought immediate publication of the merit list. During the hearing, both parties agreed to a proposal requiring CDA to conclude the process within a specified timeframe.

In its final decision, the Ombudsman observed that the recruitment process had effectively been completed and that CDA had failed to provide adequate justification for withholding the results. The authority was directed to publish the merit list of successful candidates within 30 days and submit a compliance report within the same period.

The complaints were subsequently disposed of under the relevant provisions governing the investigation and resolution of public grievances.