Islamabad: A high-level meeting convened by Minister for Economic Affairs Senator Ahad Cheema took place in Islamabad to address potential reforms aimed at fortifying Pakistan’s construction sector. The meeting served as a platform for discussing the proposed Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) Bill and strategies to enhance project delivery while tackling challenges faced by the industry.

According to Radio Pakistan, during the meeting, Minister Cheema highlighted the necessity for further examination of the CIDA Bill. He raised the question of whether a single governing body should be established for the construction sector or if separate entities should be created to both regulate and promote the industry. The Minister urged the relevant ministries and representatives from the Constructors Association of Pakistan to engage in additional consultations regarding the proposed institutional framework.

Furthermore, Minister Cheema instructed the Pakistan Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) to initiate the implementation of a defect liability period for major projects, extending for at least three years. This measure, he directed, should eventually be applied to smaller projects in a phased manner.