Housing projects: Senate body reviews implementation reports, progress

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works met on Tuesday at Parliament House, under the chairmanship of Senator Nasir Mehmood, to review implementation reports and progress on long-standing housing projects managed by the Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHA-F) and the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA).

Regarding the PHA-F Officers Residencia Kurri Road project, the committee was briefed on the steps taken to address long-pending infrastructural and civic issues. Following continuous engagements and meetings, progress is underway to resolve grievances related to water supply, storm water drainage, street lighting, and essential community facilities. Capital Development Authority (CDA) Member Planning, M Umair, assured the committee that the access road issue will be addressed on a priority basis. The committee directed the CDA to execute the access road construction within three months and report back.

On matters about FGEHA schemes, including Green Enclave-I and Sky Gardens (formerly Green Enclave-II), the committee examined updates on pending inquiries and litigation.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) representatives informed the committee that inquiries into the schemes have been ongoing since 2018 under relevant legal frameworks and judicial directives. While restrictions had previously applied to specific land transfers, NAB confirmed that upon completing inquiries into cleared mozas, NOCs were processed accordingly. FGEHA Director General clarified that Shamlaat lands cannot be transferred to private individuals and briefed the committee on development permissions granted in MozaKathar and MozaMangal.

Matter taken up by Senator SaifiullahAbro, Chairman of the committee, took serious notice of Grade-20 Senate officers being denied possession of an allotted house for an extended period. The committee ordered the Ministry of Housing & Works and the Estate Office to vacate and hand over the designated official residence to the officer within 24 hours, alongside a comprehensive compliance report. Reiterating its stance on administrative discipline, the standing committee stressed that complete transparency, merit, and strict adherence to the rule of law must be maintained in all matters concerning official accommodation allocations.

Furthermore, on a General Public matter raised and discussed as the other agenda item, the chairman committee the Chairman of the committee directed the secretary Housing to address and resolve this issue on a priority basis. In response, the secretary Housing assured the committee that the matter will be fully resolved by January 2027.

The committee appreciated the efforts and efficiency demonstrated by the secretary housing and his executive leadership in expediting public welfare projects.

The committee was attended by Senators Abdul Shakoor Khan, SaifullahAbro, Khalida Ateeb, Husna Bano, Naseema Ehsan, and Hidayatullah Khan. Secretary Housing and Works, along with concerned officers, NAB representative also attended the meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026