Govt Bans Launch of New FGEHA Housing Schemes Until Delayed Projects Are Completed

The federal government has imposed a ban on launching new housing schemes under the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) until all ongoing projects are completed, citing years of delays and missed deadlines.

The announcement came during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, where lawmakers expressed concern over the authority’s track record, saying none of its projects had been completed within the promised timeframe.

The committee, chaired by Senator Nasir Mehmood, reviewed the progress of several FGEHA projects, with particular focus on the long-delayed Green Enclave-I housing scheme in Bhara Kahu.

Officials informed the committee that only 52% of the project has been completed since work began in 2009. They attributed the delays to litigation, NAB investigations, land disputes, bank guarantee issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, rising construction costs, and contractual complications.

Housing and Works Secretary told the committee that the ministry has already decided not to approve any new housing schemes until existing projects are completed.

During the meeting, representatives of Green Enclave-I allottees raised concerns over the prolonged delays, saying thousands of plot owners, many of them retired government employees, have been waiting years to receive possession of their plots.

Senator Nasir Mehmood questioned why contractual arrangements had continued despite repeated delays and stressed that citizens who invested in the project deserved timely delivery.

The committee directed authorities to summon contractor Dr. Hafeez Abbasi at its next meeting to explain the reasons behind the delays and urged all stakeholders to cooperate in completing the project as soon as possible.

The committee also discussed issues faced by former Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak PWD) employees who were transferred to other ministries after the department’s closure.

Officials said although most employees have been adjusted in various government departments, many are still waiting for their salaries and outstanding arrears.

The committee directed all ministries and departments to immediately release pending salaries and clear outstanding payments without further delay. Senator Naseema Ehsan also urged authorities to prioritize cases involving widows and families of deceased employees.

Separately, lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of lift replacement and repair work at the Shaheed-i-Millat Secretariat and directed officials to complete the project within the stipulated timeline. The committee will conduct an on-site inspection after one month to review progress.

Members also reviewed the Model Jail project, where CDA officials said the first phase is nearing completion, while the proposal for the second phase, including dedicated facilities for women, has already been submitted. The committee, however, called for faster implementation and announced a site visit on 22 August to monitor the project’s progress.