Senate panel seeks details of PWD dissolution

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Committee on Housing and Works sought the details of dissolution of the Public Works Department (PWD) and also the details of the officers in the Ministry of Housing and Works working on deputation.

The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works was held at the Parliament Lodges under its Chairman Senator Nasir Mahmood.

Joint Secretary Housing and Works told the committee that the Cabinet has approved the closure of PWD, a committee has been formed to look into these issues and this committee has formed some working groups that will complete the ongoing projects.

In the Standing Committee meeting, Director General Pak PWD informed the Standing Committee regarding the PSDP projects and said that the total number of PSDP projects for the year 2023-24 is 202, out of which 33 have been completed and 169 is in progress.

He said if there is no problem of funding, most of the projects will be completed on time.

The standing committee asked for the details of incomplete projects, the additional cost of these projects and their completion period in the next meeting.

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Works Alamgir Khan told the Standing Committee that there are various reasons for delay in any projects.

He said that there was an allocated budget of Rs40 billion but only Rs23 billion was released from the finance ministry.

Senator Saifullah Niazi said that projects get delayed due to contactors, these are the same problems he has been hearing for the last 4 years.

Senator Khaleda Ateeb said that there is no maintenance of Qasr Naz, and even there is no management. “Qasr Naz is a building of historical importance, it needs attention,” she said.

The official of Ministry of Housing and Works told the Committee that PC-1 of Qasr Naaz project has been prepared.

The officials told the committee in principle the funding approved and now the PWD has to take action on it.

Chairman Committee Nasir Mehmood said that the timely completion of the projects does not put an additional burden on the national treasury and the projects are also completed on time.

The committee decided to invite the Ministry of Finance and Planning Division to review the issue of release of funds in the next meeting.

Senator Bilal Ahmed Khan said when PWD is closing down, it should not give new projects so that problems do not arise later.

Regarding the Murree project, the standing committee was told that the total land of this project is 36.8 kanals, out of which 6.8 kanals are owned by PWD, 18 kanals are owned by the district administration and 12 kanals are occupied by the former watchman of PWD and though the court has decided this case in our favor yet the people do another case again.

The Standing Committee also decided to write a letter to the Chief Secretary of Punjab.

The Standing Committee was told that the plot of this project is lying empty, a small cemetery and the old building of the Brazilian Embassy is standing inactive.

Chairman Senate Committee on Housing and Works Senator Nasir Mehmood asked about the new jail of Islamabad which was being constructed.

The DG PWD said that the PWD has this project but facing the funding for last 4 to 5 years.

He told the committee that the interior minister had ordered to complete it in 100 days but the funds were released at the end of June after which the work has started again.

Director General PHA told the Standing Committee that Kashmir Avenue and Lifestyle Residency are being constructed in G-13 and the Work on Kashmir Avenue Apartments started in 2020, but the work was stopped due to corona.

The committee was informed that 1467 flats are to be constructed of Kashmir Avenue while only 16 percent work was done in 2021, our board asked to find an amicable solution to this work.

He told the committee that the PC-1 of this project has been made again and this project was worth Rs15 billion rupees, now its cost escalated to Rs33.5 billion.

He said there are three blocks in total and the change of land use will save Rs3 billion and the leased space of the blocks will be put into commercial use and a flat which was Rs1 crore will now be of Rs2 crore. “We are going to do open trending and will adopt a G-to-G mode.

Senator Saifullah Abarone said that the G-to-G Act is being misused a lot.

He said that this contract was given to an ineligible company and if G2G mode to be adopted then a condition should be put the act that this contract will not be sub-let to anyone.

The committee was told that 8 towers of lifestyle residences have been built and Rs19 billion are needed to complete 8 towers.

The committee was informed that there are 2886 apartments in total and work on this project started in 2016 and the 14-storey building has been converted into 16-storey building. The contractor of this project has died and they have advertised twice for a new contractor,” the committee was informed. The committee was told that Rs45 billion are required to complete this entire project. The committee decided that the affairs of this project will be reviewed in the next meeting.