Islam Abad—2 may The Standing Committee on Housing and Works takes serious notice of the Ministry’s lack of seriousness and its failure to provide the required briefing to the Committee on time. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Housing and Works met in Parliament House on Friday, May 02, 2025, under the Chairmanship of Moulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, MNA.
During the meeting, the Committee discussed several important matters related to housing, infrastructure, and employment. The Committee discussed Calling Attention Notice No. 71, which focused on the closure of Pak-PWD and its implications, particularly the unemployment of nearly 25,000 individuals. The notice was moved by Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and other Members of the National Assembly (MNAs). The Committee expressed concern over the negative impact on the workforce, emphasizing the need for immediate steps to address the issue.
The Pakistan Infrastructure Development and Assets Management Authority Bill, 2024 (Government Bill) also came under discussion. The Committee decided to defer consideration of the Bill until detailed reasons and justifications are provided regarding the proposed closure of the Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak-PWD), along with a clear explanation of the status and future of Pak-PWD employees.
The Committee expressed grave concern over the non-submission of the compliance report and the presentation of inconclusive information. The Committee emphasized the need for improved coordination and timely communication from the Ministry in future proceedings and directed that complete, accurate, and verified data must be submitted in upcoming meetings to ensure transparency, uphold accountability, and enable effective parliamentary oversight.
The Committee decided that a formal letter would be sent from the Secretariat of the Honourable Chairman, Standing Committee on Housing and Works of the National Assembly, to the Office of the Honourable Prime Minister, requesting reconsideration of the decision to shut down the Pak-PWD, due to its potential negative implications for public service delivery and the employment of thousands of workers.
The Committee constituted a Sub-Committee under the convenorship of Mr. Anjum Aqeel Khan, MNA, to examine and address issues related to the allotment of plots to journalists, as well as pending payments against land acquisition, built-up property, and other matters pertaining to housing projects undertaken by the FGEHA. The Sub-Committee includes Ms. Seema Mohi-ud-Din Jamili, Mr. Muhammad Shabir Ali Qureshi, and Mir Amir Ali Khan Magsi, as its members.
The meeting was attended by Honourable Members Mr. Anjum Aqeel Khan, Ms. Seema Mohi-ud-Din Jamili, Dr. Darshan, Mr. Amir Ali Khan Magsi, Haji Rasool Bux Chandio, Mr. Hassaan Sabir (online via zoom), Ms. Samina Khalid Ghurki (online via zoom), Mr. Mehboob Shah, Mr. Muhammad Shabir Ali Qureshi (online via zoom), Raja Pervez Ashraf (Mover on the Agenda item No. 4), and senior officers including Secretary from the Ministry of Housing and Works and its attached departments.
