Islamabad, March 14, 2023 (PPI-OT): A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works was held on Tuesday at Parliament House, Islamabad. The meeting was chaired by Senator Haji Hidayatullah and and was attended by Senator Falak Naz, Senator Fida Muhammad, Senator Bahram and Khan Tangi, Senator Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and senior officers of the Ministry of Housing and Works along with its attached departments and agencies.
Matters discussed included; briefing by Director General (Estate)details of all the officials (BPS-14 and above) of the Ministry of Housing and Works assets along with documentation regarding non-ownership of flat or houses in Islamabad; property details along with detail of lease agreements and monthly and per annum rent.
Director General (FGEHA) briefed the Committee regarding progress on tendering process to restart construction work related to Kashmir Avenue Apartments Sector G-13, Islamabad; permission to transfer Kashmir Avenue Apartments; restarting the Residency Housing Project, Peshawar by PHAF.
While being briefed by Director General (Estate) regarding details of assets and non-ownership documentation of employee of the Ministry of Housing and Works the Committee was informed that letters were written to all concerned offices. Some responses have been received, and reminders have been sent out.
The Committee while enquiring details of increased construction on government allotted accommodation stressed the need for information to be provided regarding any action taken against these units and those involved in curbing such operations. Regarding details of commercial units, the Committee was informed that the matter is already being discussed in a sub-Committee of the National Assembly. Details of commercial units in Karachi were submitted.
Reviewing the matter regarding progress on tendering process to restart construction work related to Kashmir Avenue Apartments Sector G-13, Islamabad; permission to transfer Kashmir Avenue Apartments, the Committee was informed that the transfer of Kashmir Avenue (G-13) apartment project has been opened subject to clearance of all outstanding instalments payable at the time of transfer of apartments as per payment schedule which is not less than 23 percent of the total cost of the apartment.
The Committee stressed the need for timely possession of apartments. While discussing the retendering process the Committee was of the view that transparency must be ensured and that all out efforts must be made to ensure that there is no usurpation of rights of the contractor due to the termination of the previous contract. The Committee probed details to the reasons for terminating the contract before starting the arbitration process. Details of reasons for the termination must be submitted to the Committee in the next meeting.
Reviewing the matter of restarting the Residency Housing Project, Peshawar by PHAF the Committee was informed that the main issue that was hindering the project was the issue regarding the possession that has now been settled with the assistance of Commissioner Peshawar. It was recommended that the Committee visit the site of the project and meet the Chief Secretary to play a role in expediting the progress of this project. The matter related to concerns regarding the demarcation of the Peshawar and Malakand Division was raised as well.
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