ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works on Tuesday expressed concerns over the stalled Centre of Excellence in Gynecology and Obstetrics project in Rawalpindi.

The Senate committee, which met with Senator Nasir Mehmood in the chair discussed the issue of the long-delayed 200-bed facility in Rawalpindi.

The committee was apprised that the project, initially approved in 2007 with an estimated cost of Rs166 million, faced several setbacks due to funding issues.

Although work resumed in 2010, the construction claims escalated to Rs218 million in 2023. Later on, discrepancies in these claims raised doubts about their legitimacy.

The committee expressed concerns, asking whether the construction be continued despite a reported ban. In response, the construction company denied receiving any formal notification regarding such a ban.

Committee asks FIA for update on Park Road scandal; ‘illegal constructions’ in G-12 also on radar

During the meeting, the Public Work Department (PWD) officials confirmed that the project remained incomplete despite the initial announcement by the prime minister in 2004 and a shift in scope in 2017 when the project was reduced from 400 to 200 beds.

The committee members criticised the performance of the Ministry of Housing and Works and its subsidiaries, with Senator Bilal Khan highlighting the superior performance of provincial departments in contrast to the federal ministry.

Furthermore, the committee discussed the issue of membership drives of the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) in detail. The committee reviewed the membership, noting a shift in ‘prioritisation policies’. Initially, the membership was allocated on a “first-come, first-served” basis, but in 2015, seniority based on age became a determining factor. The members raised concerns about the transparency of this process, particularly the allocation of plots in Green Enclave I and II.

The committee was briefed that, to accommodate the remaining members of Membership Drive-I, the FGEHA had attempted to acquire additional government land through the Land Acquisition Collector (LAC). However, in 2017, Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act (LAA) was rescinded, halting the expansion efforts.

The committee was also informed about ongoing efforts to issue plots in sectors F-12 and G-12 for members of Membership Drive-I.

Meanwhile, the committee also discussed the illegal construction of high-rises in Sector G-12. As it deliberated on the allegations of collusion between the FGEHA officials and the construction companies, the committee sought answers from the housing and works secretary. One of the senators questioned how such buildings were allowed to be constructed despite regulatory mechanisms.

FGEHA’s director general confirmed that some illegal constructions had been demolished and stated that corrective actions had been initiated following his appointment. However, the committee was not convinced, and further investigations were expected.

Park Road Project Scandal

The committee was also updated on the Park Road project, marred by corruption and mismanagement. The matter has been referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for an ongoing inquiry. The committee was told that the project director was suspended and later terminated, and the contractor had been blacklisted.

The committee was informed that show-cause notices were issued to several officials, and the case was under active investigation. The committee directed the FIA to provide an update on investigations concerning various housing authorities, including the PWD, FGEHA, PHA-F, and Nespak.

The committee also decided to summon the CDA chairman and the Islamabad deputy commissioner at the next meeting to discuss various issues, including the unauthorised construction. The meeting concluded with a consensus to further examine the claims of mismanagement, prioritise accountability, and ensure transparency in future schemes.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2024