Notice Taken of VIP Culture in Govt Buildings

A Senate committee has raised concerns over the growing VIP culture in government buildings, particularly the exclusive use of elevators by high-ranking officials, which bars access to ordinary citizens and lower-level employees.

The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, chaired by Senator Nasir Mehmood, convened on Tuesday to address multiple issues, including the malfunctioning elevators in the high-rise Shaheed-i-Millat Secretariat.

During the meeting, members were informed that certain elevators in Shaheed-i-Millat and other government offices were reserved for VIPs, restricting usage by the general public and civil servants. The committee condemned this discriminatory practice and directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to ensure equal access to all lifts.

On the matter of faulty lifts, the CDA chairman reported that three out of five elevators in the building remain out of service. He said a tender worth Rs120 million had been issued for their repair.

Islamabad Jail Project Delays

The committee also reviewed progress on the construction of the Islamabad jail. The CDA chief stated that the Public Works Department handed over the project in June 2024, with an updated cost of Rs7.4 billion. In Phase I, 98% of the administrative block and boundary wall had been completed, along with 75% of roads and supporting infrastructure. However, delays in funding have hindered overall progress.

Concerned by these delays, the committee called on representatives from the ministries of finance and planning to explain the lag in fund disbursement to the Ministry of Interior for CDA-led projects. The committee chairman further supported the CDA’s request to recruit staff for operating the jail once completed.

Shortage and Mismanagement of Government Housing

A senior official from the Ministry of Housing informed the committee of a significant backlog in accommodation requests, with 26,000 federal employees awaiting housing and only 17,000 units available in Islamabad.

Unimpressed by the briefing, the committee demanded a detailed list of illegal allotments and the names of officials involved in the unlawful distribution of housing.

The Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) also came under fire for its inconsistent tendering practices and failure to complete housing projects on time. Senator Saifullah Abro criticised the rising costs of FGEHA schemes due to persistent delays, which ultimately burden the allottees. The committee directed the authority to submit a comprehensive list of all ongoing projects, including costs and completion timelines.

Illegal Occupation of Wafaqi Colony Units

The committee praised the recent action by the Punjab police to vacate government accommodations in Lahore’s Wafaqi Colony, which had been under their illegal occupation since 1990. It was disclosed that the police had never paid rent until recently, when Rs1.6 million was deposited, covering dues up to 2024. The remaining amount is expected to be paid in the upcoming fiscal year.

NAB’s Unpaid Dues for Federal Lodges

The committee also reviewed the issue of non-payment of rent by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for its use of a Ministry of Housing property in Federal Lodges, Dhana Singh Wala, Lahore. NAB has allegedly failed to pay Rs480 million in rent since March 2021 and has not vacated the premises.

Officials revealed that the matter remains unresolved, pending a decision from the Prime Minister’s Office. The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Housing for not formalising an agreement with NAB and instructed both departments to resolve the issue within a month. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action against the responsible officers.