Key Takeaways
- The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works expressed concern over delays in federal employees' housing projects.
- Chairman Nasir Mehmood Butt criticized contractors, saying they face daily penalties in other countries.
- The committee directed the deputy commissioner to ensure regular monitoring of the Green Enclave I project.
The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works has called for action against contractors responsible for delays in federal employees' housing projects in Islamabad. The committee, chaired by Senator Nasir Mehmood Butt, discussed the issue during its recent meeting, which also addressed encroachments in sectors G 14 and G 15.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad reported that no new encroachments had been identified in the two sectors, and that the administration was working to remove older encroachments. Daily anti-encroachment operations were also being conducted.
The committee reviewed the progress of various housing projects and questioned the continued delays in their completion. Chairman Nasir Mehmood Butt criticized the contractors, stating that in other countries, contractors face daily penalties for missing deadlines. He also noted that in Pakistan, contractors are sometimes provided full funding despite completing only a small portion of their assigned work.
Senator Saifullah Abro called for action against contractors whose projects remain incomplete. The Housing Secretary, however, cautioned that the cancellation of contracts could result in litigation and potentially cause further problems for the public.
The committee separately reviewed the Green Enclave I project, which was in the presence of its contractor and joint venture partner. The contractor stated that the parties had reached a mutual understanding and committed to completing the project within 18 months. The Housing Secretary questioned how the ministry could meet every financial demand raised by the contractor and urged the company to fulfill its responsibilities toward affected allottees.
Senator Haji Hidayatullah complained that the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad had not answered his phone calls or responded to his messages. The committee chairman directed the deputy commissioner to ensure that committee members did not face similar complaints in the future.
The chairman further announced that the committee would visit the Green Enclave I project every month to monitor progress and ensure that work moves toward completion. The committee's actions reflect a growing concern over the delays in housing projects and the need for accountability among contractors.
