ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works was informed that the Islamabad Jail construction project is expected to be completed by January 31, 2025.
As per the report, committee learned that 70–80% of the administrative block has been finalized, but an additional Rs3.64 billion is needed to complete Phase II.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Nasir Mehmood at the Parliament House, reviewed ongoing projects and discussed public concerns. Senator Mehmood stressed the commitment of committee to solving problems faced by people eligible for government support, making sure their rights are protected.
During the session, the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) Member Engineering provided an update on the Islamabad Jail project. The initial PC-1 cost of Rs3.9 billion was revised to Rs7.4 billion, with Rs3.75 billion already allocated.
Expressing concern over delays, Senator Mehmood reminded members that the CDA Chairman had previously committed to completing the project by December 2024. To address funding shortfalls, the committee decided to summon the Ministry of Planning.
The Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) assured the committee that departmental issues had been resolved. The Chairman directed that all correspondence between the PWD and CDA be shared with the committee and recommended inviting representatives of the Ministry of Interior to the next meeting.
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The committee also revisited the case of a widow’s allotment discussed earlier. The Secretary of Housing and Works assured members the matter would be resolved per legal requirements.
Additionally, the committee reviewed an application from Director Abdul Sattar & Co. regarding the final payment for establishing a 200-bed Center of Excellence for Gynecology and Obstetrics in Rawalpindi. It was decided that the Senate Standing Committee on Health would address the issue.
The committee was also briefed on its October 29, 2024, directions regarding journalist quotas and plots under the FGEHA schemes. It was told by The Ministry of Information officials that Phase I repairs were progressing, with three categories completed and the remainder expected within a month. A meeting with journalists has been scheduled to address unresolved concerns.
Committee also discussed delays caused by litigation over un-acquired land. The Housing and Works Secretary attributed the delay to ongoing High Court cases and mentioned efforts to develop investment models for various areas.
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Poor condition of Qasr-e-Naz in Karachi was pointed out, the committee noted that six government-owned properties, including Qasr-e-Naz, need to be checked. A visit to the site was scheduled for after January 3, 2025, to review the situation.
Meeting was attended by Senators Khalida Ateeb, Saifullah Abro, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Bilal Ahmed Khan, Husna Bano, Hidayatullah Khan, Muhammad Aslam Abro, the Minister of Housing and Works, the Secretary of Housing and Works, and senior officials from relevant departments.
