Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, led by Senator Nasir Mehmood, gathered at the Parliament House to address issues such as encroachments, legal disputes, and development progress across various sectors. The meeting included participation from multiple senators and senior officials from relevant governmental departments.

According to a statement by Senate of Pakistan, the Commissioner of Rawalpindi briefed the committee on the challenges faced at Constantia Estate in Murree, highlighting issues of unresponsiveness from Public Works Department (PWD) officials. The Deputy Commissioner of Murree explained that while reports had been communicated to the PWD, their role was limited to facilitation, and responsibility for further action was with the PWD. The committee reviewed correspondence regarding this matter and emphasized the importance of securing the remaining property to prevent further complications.

The committee received a briefing from senior officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on the implementation of the Building Code of Pakistan, focusing on fire safety and emergency preparedness in government buildings. A six-month timeline was suggested for resolving related issues, with a progress report expected at the subsequent meeting.

Further discussions covered strategies to tackle illegal constructions in Islamabad’s sectors F-12 and G-12. The Inspector General of Islamabad Capital Territory assured timely processing of requests for assistance, with a detailed report on illegal land acquisition due within two weeks.

The water supply situation in Islamabad was also reviewed, with officials outlining plans to increase capacity and improve infrastructure by the monsoon season. Current efforts include upgrades to tube wells and water filtration plants, with further financial support discussions underway with the World Bank and IMF.

An update on ongoing inquiries within the housing sector was presented by the Additional Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), noting that most cases were administrative rather than financial. The committee also addressed unresolved issues regarding a widow’s property allotment, demanding a list of illegally allotted properties to be submitted within a week.