The National Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Works has unanimously decided to urge the Prime Minister to review and reconsider the decision to close the Pakistan Public Works Department. The committee expressed concern over the potential impact on public infrastructure projects and the department’s employees.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan information today, the meeting was held under the chairmanship of Moulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, MNA, in the Ministry of Housing and Works, Islamabad.

The Secretary of the Ministry briefed the committee on the budgetary proposals for the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2024-25, highlighting that Pak PWD had managed 162 projects worth Rs100.706 billion, with Rs48.463 billion already spent by June 2024. The dissolution of Pak PWD has led to the transfer of these projects to provincial departments and other agencies, but funds have yet to be transferred due to non-opening of accounts.

The committee voiced serious concerns about the closure’s implications on public service delivery and infrastructure projects, stressing the importance of continuing development programs to avoid financial and resource losses. They recommended ensuring the availability of finances for ongoing projects under PSDP and SAP schemes.

Additionally, the DG of FGEHA updated the committee on the allotment of plots to journalists, stating that recommendations from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting are being followed, with completions expected in Sectors F-14/15 within two weeks.

The meeting saw attendance from various members of the committee, the Minister for Housing and Works, and senior officers from the Ministry and its departments.