FGEHA’nın Geciken Projelerine Senato’dan Sert Eleştiri

Federal Government Employees Housing Authority comes under attack at Senate body meeting over delay in projects

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works on Wednesday expressed concern over performance of Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) stating that none of its projects had been completed within stipulated time frame forcing the housing ministry to impose a ban on new projects until the stalled projects are completed. The committee, which met here with Senator Nasir Mehmood in the chair, besides other agenda items discussed the delayed projects of FGEHA mainly Bhara Kau Green Enclave-I, where 52pc work has been completed since the start of the project in 2009. The committee chairman observed that none of the FGEHA projects had been completed within the prescribed timeline and stressed that ongoing projects should be completed before launching new ones. To this, Secretary Ministry of Housing and Works informed the Committee that a ban had been imposed on initiating new projects until the existing schemes are completed. Committee reviews progress on Green Enclave I The committee while reviewing the status of Green Enclave-I expressed serious concern over prolonged delays, cost escalation, and the continued hardship faced by allottees. Officials of the FGEHA informed the committee that the project had suffered delays due to litigation, NAB inquiries, land-related disputes, bank guarantee issues, the impact of Covid-19 on construction costs, and subsequent contractual complications. They informed the committee that work on the project had resumed and that several pending issues would be placed before the authority’s board for final decisions. During the course of the meeting representatives of the Green Enclave-I allottees, including Chaudhary Amjad Ali, Rana Mohammad Arshad, Mohammad Khurshid and Professor Tahir Mahmood presented the concerns of thousands of affected plot owners. The committee chairman Senator Nasir Mehmood questioned the prolonged continuation of contractual arrangements despite years of delay and observed that thousands of citizens, particularly retired government employees, had invested in the project in good faith and deserved timely delivery. The committee directed that contractor Dr Hafeez Abbasi be summoned in the next meeting to explain the delays and stressed that all stakeholders must cooperate to ensure early completion of the project. Meanwhile, reviewing the status of former Pak PWD employees adjusted in various ministries and departments, the committee expressed serious concern over delays in the payment of salaries and arrears by the respective ministries and departments, despite their adjustment. Officials informed the committee that employees were affected by the closure of department and that the majority had been adjusted in various ministries and departments. However, several employees are still awaiting payment of salaries and arrears. The committee directed all ministries concerned and departments to ensure immediate payment of salaries and arrears to adjusted employees and remove unnecessary delays in processing their cases. During the meeting, Senator Naseema Ehsan highlighted the difficulties being faced by widows and families of deceased employees and urged the authorities concerned to resolve their cases on priority. The committee unanimously recommended that all outstanding arrears of adjusted employees be cleared at the earliest. The Committee also reviewed the replacement and repair of lifts at the Shaheed-i-Millat Secretariat. Members expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work and directed the authorities concerned to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe. The committee decided to conduct an on-site visit to monitor progress after a month. Similarly, committee also reviewed the progress of the Model Jail project. Members were informed by the CDA Chairman that the first phase of the project had been approved and was nearing completion, while the proposal for Phase-II, which includes dedicated facilities for women, had already been submitted. Officials expressed the hope that the remaining work would be completed within the stipulated timeframe. During the discussion, the Committee expressed concern over delays in the implementation of the project. The Chairman directed the concerned authorities to expedite the pace of work and announced that the Committee would undertake a visit on 22 August to review the project’s progress on-site. Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2026