ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works convened under the leadership of Senator Nasir Mehmood at Parliament Lodges to address delays in CDA and FGEHA projects and unauthorized use of government accommodations. The meeting, attended by several Senators, highlighted issues concerning illegal occupancy and non-payment of rent by government departments.

Senator Mehmood acknowledged the Committee members’ contributions in addressing the illegal occupation of Ministry of Housing and Works accommodations by Punjab Police in Lahore. The Punjab Police, having occupied the accommodations since 1990 without payment, submitted a compliance report and paid Rs. 1.6 million in rent, promising to settle the remaining dues by next year.

The meeting also addressed a significant rent arrear issue involving the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which owes Rs. 480 million for occupying a building in Lahore since March 2021. The absence of a formal agreement and pending decision with the Prime Minister’s Office were highlighted. The Chairman expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry’s negligence and directed resolution within a month, warning of sanctions against negligent officers.

Regarding the construction of Islamabad Jail, the Committee was briefed on delays due to funding issues from the Ministry of Planning and Development. With significant parts of the project nearing completion, the Committee called for explanations from relevant Ministries for the funding delays and recommended staffing for the jail.

The malfunctioning lifts in the Shaheed-e-Millat Building also drew attention, with only one operational out of five. The CDA issued a tender for repairs, but the Committee criticized the exclusionary use of lifts by VIPs and demanded equal access for all.

Housing shortages were also discussed, with a backlog of 26,000 applications versus 17,000 available accommodations in Islamabad. The Ministry was directed to provide a list of illegal allotments and discontinue the Restoration Committee’s functions.

Furthermore, the Committee expressed concern over FGEHA’s handling of projects, criticizing delay-induced cost increases and demanding comprehensive details of all ongoing projects.

This meeting marks a significant step in addressing long-standing issues in government housing and project management, with directives aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency.