Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, chaired by Senator Nasir Mahmood, convened its inaugural session at OLD PIPs HALL, Parliament Lodges, where crucial issues such as budget allocations and major housing projects for federal employees were discussed.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting featured a detailed presentation on the Ministry of Housing & Works and its affiliated departments, highlighting budgetary allocations for the fiscal year 2024-25 and the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2024-25. The briefing outlined a total budget allocation of PKR 8,552.000 million, which includes specific expenditures for various departments such as the Ministry of Housing and Works, Pak PWD, the Estate Office, and the Federal Lodge.

The committee also delved into the functions of the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA), which develops housing schemes for federal government employees and other specified groups. Upcoming projects, including Lifestyle Residency in G-13 and flats in Sectors G-12 and F-12 of Islamabad, are expected to be completed by June 2026. The Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation is also working on housing projects in sectors I-16 and I-12, targeting federal employees and low-income groups.

Additionally, the session addressed human resource strategies, particularly the utilization of competent officials for the preservation of archaeological buildings. Concerns about corruption were also raised, with the Federal Minister for Housing & Works, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, discussing instances of double purchasing and overpriced acquisitions that have led to protracted legal disputes.

The committee emphasized the need for collaboration to reform the Housing Ministry and effectively combat corruption, underscoring the importance of transparency and efficiency in managing housing projects and budgetary funds.