Islamabad : The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, under the chairmanship of Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan, convened at the Parliament House. The members of the committee deliberated on the highlighted question number 52, raised by Senator Dost Muhammad Khan during the Senate session on November 10, 2023. Senator Dost Muhammad Khan expressed his concerns regarding the deplorable condition of government accommodations, specifically in the G8 colony, pointing out that poor people are not being facilitated appropriately. Senator Dost Muhammad Khan questioned the senior official of the Ministry of Housing and Works regarding the funds allocated for officials in higher posts. The chairman of the committee, Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan asked the officers to provide details of the 40 million rupees allocated by the government. The officers from the Ministry of Housing explained that they have worked in various areas, including water supply and sewerage services in I-9, G-9, and G-10. However, they emphasized that 40 million rupees is not sufficient, and they have requested 716 million rupees for further allocations from the government. The chairman of the committee also enquired about the utilization of the 100 million rupees mentioned in the brief. The Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Works further added that the residential areas are 50 to 60 years old, and 100 million rupees are not sufficient for their maintenance. Senator Dost Muhammad Khan requested that the committee would recommend the issuance of more funds for the maintenance of the federal government houses.
Furthermore, the committee discussed the appointment of Mr. Sher Afzal Marwat as the Director General of the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA). The officers provided a detailed explanation of Mr. Sher Afzal Marwat’s joining and tenure. The secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Works asserted that there are no corruption allegations against him. Moreover, no case has been recorded against Mr. Sher Afzal Marwat by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). However, as per the policy of FGEHA for its employees, Mr. Marwat had been allotted a plot.
Senator Saifullah Abro expressed displeasure and recommended that, in the next meeting, the people responsible for Mr. Sher Afzal Marwat’s appointment be called. The committee members unanimously recommended to provide the record regarding the allotment of the plot to Mr. Sher Afzal in the next meeting.
Additionally, officers from the Ministry of Housing and Works provided a comprehensive briefing on the progress of Park Road (Package-I). Senator Saifullah Abro raised concerns regarding rate analysis, detailed information, and the modus operandi of contracts. He suggested that officers might be involved in significant unchecked irregularities and recommended putting payments on hold until these issues are resolved.
Senator Afnan Ullah Khan also stated that the committee members have not reached a productive conclusion regarding these projects. He emphasized upon the impact of those projects on 4,500 people and urged swift progress. The officers from the Ministry of Housing and Works reported that the on-site progress of the projects has reached 7.2 percent. Moreover, since the last meeting of the committee, the physical progress of the project has reached 7.2 billion rupees. The committee members unanimously recommended that the Ministry of Housing and Works officers would present working and effective solutions for underlying projects in the next meeting.
In attendance were Senator Saifullah Abro, Senator Afnan Ullah Khan, Senator Fida Muhammad, Senator Falak Naz, Senator Dost Muhammad Khan, Senator Saif Ullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Works, and senior officials from the Ministry of Housing and Works.