Senate body concerned over non-allocation of accommodations to govt employees
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works expressed serious dissatisfaction over the Estate Office’s failure to allocate government accommodations to federal employees, despite the presence of a large number of vacant residential units.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Nasir Mehmood at the Parliament House, reviewed several pressing matters related to housing schemes and employee grievances. It was revealed that the Estate Office currently manages 28,800 residential units, while over 27,000 new requests for accommodation are still pending — a backlog that continues to grow, even though numerous units remain unoccupied.
The Chairman directed the Estate Office to present a comprehensive strategy to efficiently utilize vacant units and address the demand.
The Committee was briefed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Works on the non-payment of salaries to former Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak PWD) employees. The officials clarified that their demand for permanent appointments was not viable due to already occupied regular positions.
Senator Nasir Mehmood instructed the ministry to explore possibilities of adjusting these employees against available vacancies and submit a detailed report on the matter.
The Committee also discussed a contentious 38-kanal land dispute at Constantia Lodge, Kashmir Point, Murree. A private entity claims ownership of the land, while Pak PWD insists it belongs to the government and has submitted all relevant documentation, including proof of payment.
The Committee recommended that the Chief Settlement Commissioner be involved and that all stakeholders convene a joint meeting to resolve the matter, followed by submission of a detailed report.
A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to the Sky Garden Housing Scheme, which has been under a Supreme Court ban on construction since 2018. Despite purchasing plots, nearly 2,500 allottees remain unable to build their homes. The Committee voiced strong concern over the plight of affected individuals, many of whom sold personal belongings and gold to invest in the scheme.
The Chairman directed the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) to clarify its plan for compensation in case the court ruling goes against the allottees. It was decided to defer the matter for two months, failing which action would be initiated against responsible parties.
The FGEHA also briefed the Committee on the Lifestyle Residency Project, which came under its control on March 3, 2025. Legal disputes followed when M/s Granite, instead of its JV partner M/s Progressive, filed a case in the Civil & Sessions Court. The Islamabad High Court ruled in FGEHA’s favor on May 21, 2025, and the termination notice was issued to the contractor the following day.
A detailed update on the Green Enclave-I project in Bhara Kahu was also provided. A Joint Venture agreement was signed in 2009 for 3,153 kanals of land, but the project has faced multiple legal and operational hurdles since the Supreme Court’s suo moto notice in 2009 and its subsequent judgment in 2013.
In 2024, the contractor demanded revised rates, which were rejected by the Board. Expressing deep frustration over the delays, Senator Nasir Mehmood warned that he would request the Prime Minister to form a special committee against FGEHA if immediate progress is not made.
The meeting was attended by Senators Muhammad Aslam Abro ,Khalida Ateeb,Husna Bano ,Bilal Ahmed Khan, and Hidayatullah Khan, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Housing & Works, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi,FGEHA, and the Estate Office. Syed Naveed Jamal
