Journalists, media workers plots: Ministry told to move summary to PMO

ISLAMABAD: A Senate sub-committee on Monday directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to move a summary to the Prime Minister’s Office to resolve longstanding issues concerning the allotment of residential plots to journalists and media workers, while calling for transparency and strict adherence to seniority in the allocation of 85 plots available under Phase-II.

The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, chaired by Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, reviewed the rules, eligibility criteria and procedure for allotment of plots to journalists and media persons serving in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The Director General of the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) informed the committee that 85 plots of different categories were available under Phase-II, in which one percent quota had been reserved for journalists. Under Phase-I, a two percent quota had been allocated for journalists and media workers and allotments had already been made.

According to the FGEHA, applicants are required to have at least 20 years of professional experience and be serving in Islamabad or Rawalpindi. The newspaper concerned must also have remained on the Central Media List for the preceding three years.

Another condition stipulates that the spouse of an applicant must not have previously been allotted a plot in Islamabad or Rawalpindi. The FGEHA said eligible applicants would be considered for allotment on the basis of seniority.

Senator Waqar Mehdi directed that all eligible journalists and media persons be considered strictly according to seniority and that the process should not face unnecessary delays. He asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to accord priority to the matter, with the sub-committee set to review progress after one month.

Media representatives, however, raised concerns over previous allotments, particularly under the Bara Kahu scheme. They said a large number of journalists had applied under the scheme but the first-come, first-served principle had reportedly not been followed. They urged that such issues should not be repeated in Phase-II.

The committee was also informed about 35 applicants who had approached the Wafaqi Mohtasib and whose cases had reportedly remained unresolved since 2004. Media representatives called for obtaining details of journalists and media persons who had received two plots under previous schemes to ensure transparency and prevent duplication.

The DG FGEHA assured the committee that the cases of the 35 applicants would be taken up with the relevant authorities.

The eligibility of employees of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and Pakistan Television (PTV) also came under discussion. The DG FGEHA informed the committee that APP employees were members of the Islamabad Press Club, whereas PTV employees were not.

The convener directed that APP representatives be invited to the next meeting to discuss issues concerning its employees.

The sub-committee also expressed concern over delays in its constitution and the convening of its inaugural meeting. The FGEHA said delays in the issuance of the main committee’s minutes had affected the ability of the concerned departments to proceed with the matter.

The committee directed that an updated report of the Plot Selection Committee for Journalists be furnished within 15 days and decided to review progress on all outstanding matters after one month.

Senators Jan Muhammad and Abdul Shakoor Khan attended the meeting along with representatives of the Parliamentary Reporters Association of Pakistan (PRA), National Press Club, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and media workers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026