Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
A legislative body of Upper House of parliament on Monday expressed their concern regarding slow progress in execution of Kashmir Avenue Apartments G-13.
They also expressed concern over unprecedented rise in construction material, which will ultimately put burden over the allotees. These views were expressed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works was held in parliament house while Senator Haji Hidayatullah was in the chair.
The Committee was informed by the Ministry that currently the Kashmir Avenue Apartments G 13 were in the execution phase and overall completion was 16 percent. The Committee showed concern regarding slow progress. It was revealed that the price adjustment included in the contract in line with Pakistan Engineering Council standard price adjustment guidelines does not cover the current hyper escalation of construction goods.
The Committee was informed that the Ministry was doing all in its power to come to an amicable resolution and has forwarded a summary of the issues to ECC for approval of recommendations. The price hikes and its impact on all projects of FGEHA is being referred to the Executive Board for its guidance and advice. Subsequent to resolution of the price hike issue the project may be completed in the next 30 months. The Committee directed the Ministry that details of all outsourced parties working on different projects may be submitted to it for a thorough analysis.
Senator Senator Khalida Ateeb, Senator Fida Muhammad, Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, Senator Muhammad Qasim, Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Senator Afnan Ullah Khan and senior officers of the Ministry of Housing and Works along with its attached departments and agencies attended the meeting. Minister for Housing and Works, Maulana Abdul Wasay was present in the meeting as well.
Matters discussed included; completion of Kashmir Avenue Apartments G 13; compensation paid to Mst. Seher Bano wife of Late Karem Bux Solangi, Ex Guard CCD-1 (Pak PWD). Issues related to corruption and mismanagement of resources were also taken up by the Committee.
With regards to payment of compensation to Mst. Seher Bano wife of Late Karem Bux Solangi, the Committee was informed that the process will be completed by the first quarter of the current financial year. It was strongly recommended that payment of dues to widows and orphans must be prioritised. The Committee was informed that funds have been demanded for supplementary grant during the current financial year and the case has been sent to the concerned Benevolent Fund Office.
While raising the issue of rampant corruption; the Committee was informed of the killing of two land owners that demanded compensation for the property that they sold to PWD. The matter will be reviewed stringently in the next meeting. The Committee directed the ministry to submit details of the past 15 years related to housing projects in Malakand Division.
