Senate Committee deliberates on housing sector issues, queries multiple project delays & mismanagement

ISLAMABAD, Nov 05 (SABAH): The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works convened on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Senator Nasir Mehmood at the Parliament House to discuss a range of pressing matters related to ongoing housing projects and departmental inefficiencies.

The meeting was attended by Senators Bilal Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Aslam Abro, Khilda Ateeb, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Husna Bano, and Hidayatullah Khan, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Housing and Works.

One of the key agenda items was the discussion of the long-delayed 200-bed Center of Excellence in Gynecology and Obstetrics in Rawalpindi. The project, initially approved in 2007 with an estimated cost of Rs 166 million, faced several setbacks due to funding issues. Although work resumed in 2010, construction claims escalated to Rs 218 million in 2023. However, discrepancies in these claims raised doubts about their legitimacy. The committee expressed concerns over whether construction continued despite an alleged ban. In response, the construction company denied receiving any formal notification of such a ban.

PWD officials confirmed that the project remains incomplete, despite the initial announcement by the then-Prime Minister in 2004 and a shift in scope in 2017, when the project was reduced from 400 to 200 beds. Committee members criticized the performance of the Ministry of Housing and Works and its subsidiaries, with Senator Bilal Khan highlighting the superior performance of provincial departments in comparison to the federal ministry.

The committee also reviewed the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority’s (FGEHA) membership drives, noting a shift in prioritization policies. Initially, membership was allocated on a “first-come, first-served” basis, but from 2015, age seniority became a determining factor. Concerns were raised about the transparency of these processes, particularly regarding the allocation of plots in Green Enclave-I and II.

The committee was briefed that, to accommodate the remaining members of Membership Drive-I, the FGEHA had attempted to acquire additional government land through the Land Acquisition Collector (LAC). However, in 2017, Section-4 of the Land Acquisition Act (LAA) was rescinded, halting the expansion efforts. The committee was also informed about ongoing efforts to issue plots in sectors F-12 and G-12 for members of Membership Drive-I.

A critical issue raised during the session was the illegal construction of high-rise buildings in Sector G-12. Allegations of collusion between FGEHA officials and construction companies were discussed, with the committee demanding answers from the Secretary of Housing and Works. Senator Bilal Khan specifically questioned how such buildings were allowed to be constructed despite regulatory oversight. FGEHA’s Director General confirmed that some illegal constructions had been demolished and stated that corrective actions had been initiated following his appointment. However, the committee remained dissatisfied, and further investigations are expected.

The committee was also updated on the Park Road project, which has been marred by corruption and mismanagement. The matter has been referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for an ongoing inquiry. The Project Director was suspended and later terminated, and the contractor has been blacklisted. Show-cause notices were issued to several officials, and the case is under active investigation.

In light of the ongoing issues, the committee has summoned the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Deputy Commissioner in the next session to further investigate the illegal construction in D-12 and other unresolved matters. The FIA has also been asked to provide an update on investigations concerning various housing authorities, including PWD, FGEHA, PHA-F, and NESPAK.

The meeting concluded with a consensus to further examine the claims of mismanagement, prioritize accountability, and ensure transparency in future housing schemes.

The Senate Standing Committee’s continued oversight underscores the urgent need for reforms within the housing sector to address long-standing inefficiencies and protect the interests of federal employees and the general public.