ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works expressed serious concern over the frequent reshuffling of the post of Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Works, noting that such instability adversely affects the Ministry’s functioning.
The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works was reviewing agenda items related to land vacation, payment of salaries, etc. Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, Senator Nasir Mehmood, observed that as many as five secretaries of Housing and Works had been posted and subsequently transferred during the current year. While expressing serious concern over their frequent reshuffling, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, Senator Nasir Mehmood, emphasised to retain a dedicated officer for an adequate period to ensure continuity and the efficient disposal of work.
It also raised serious concern over the non-payment of salaries for the past five months to 15 lower-grade employees of the Central Civil Division-I, Pak PWD, Lahore. It was noted that the delay resulted from the non-implementation of several administrative orders. The Senate panel urged the authorities to resolve it on priority and ensure timely disbursement of salaries. It was further informed that payments for 162 employees are still pending. The committee was requested to facilitate the adjustment of surrendered employees from Pak PWD to other departments to ensure continuity of service and timely resolution of their financial grievances.
The committee was informed that the ongoing project of Islamabad Jail, with a total cost of Rs7.4 billion, has already received Rs4 billion in funding. Approximately 90pc of the work on the barracks and hospital has been completed; however, the allocated amount is insufficient to finalise the project. The committee directed the Planning Division to release additional allocated funds of Rs2.6 billion in January to ensure the timely completion of the project.
