The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works expressed grave apprehensions on Wednesday regarding the protracted delay in the construction of Islamabad”s Central Jail. The committee warned that further holdups could lead to substantial cost overruns and administrative breakdown.
Presided over by Senator Nasir Mehmood, the committee convened in Islamabad to examine critical matters, including land encroachment, delayed governmental infrastructure schemes, and housing allocation procedures. However, the Central Jail project, currently only 51% finished, became the primary focus.
Capital Development Authority (CDA) representatives informed the committee that while Rs 1 billion had been earmarked for the current fiscal year, an extra Rs 2.5 billion is crucial to finish the remaining 49% of the construction. They guaranteed that with sufficient funds, the outstanding work could be concluded within four months.
Senator Nasir Mehmood cautioned, ‘If this scheme isn”t finished this year, the expenditure will escalate dramatically. Undertakings meant to be completed in three years are dragging on for fourteen. If hold-ups persist, the Finance Division must be held accountable.’
Originally assigned to the Public Works Department in 2013, the penitentiary project was handed over to the CDA in 2024. It is one of 15 ongoing programs under the Interior Ministry”s purview. The committee also deliberated on staff recruitment for the institution, emphasizing the importance of aligning new personnel with the operational blueprint.
Beyond the prison predicament, members voiced alarm over widespread unlawful occupation of land, particularly in Murree. Senator Nasir observed, ‘Illegal land possession in Murree has endured for 40 years. If the encroachers are still present, measures must be taken.’
The absence of Rawalpindi’s Chief Commissioner was questioned. The Additional Chief Commissioner attributed his non-attendance to his deployment for Muharram-ul-Haram security arrangements.
The gathering also welcomed the recently designated Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, who briefed the committee on the Ministry”s digital modernization endeavors. ‘I deeply respect the parliamentarians,’ the Secretary stated, pledging greater openness in administrative procedures.
Regarding housing, the committee learned about an upcoming mobile application designed to administer the waiting list for residential assignments. While the list is already accessible online, Senator Nasir stressed the importance of prompt and equitable allocation. ‘Individuals shouldn”t have to wait for years or obtain homes only upon retirement,’ he declared.
Other matters addressed included postponed upkeep at the Shaheed-e-Millat Secretariat on Jinnah Avenue-specifically the replacement of five malfunctioning elevators-and the development of new regulations to supersede the outdated AARs. Senators Husna Bano, Khalida Ateeb, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Hidayat Ullah Khan, Muhammad Aslam Abro, and Abdul Shakoor Khan attended the proceeding.