Nisar wants PM to scrap lodges plan

Opposition leader directs austerity plea to Gilani, asking him to scrap cash-guzzling project for parliamentarians.

ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday directed an austerity plea to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, asking him to scrap a cash-guzzling project for parliamentarians.

In the second phase of Parliament Lodges, family suites over an area of four acres and servant quarters over an area of 1.4 acres are to be constructed at a staggering cost of Rs2.9 billion.

“Such projects place extra burden on the economy already reeling from many shocks,” said Chaudhry Nisar in a written appeal to the premier.

He called for diverting “hefty sums” of money that would otherwise be spent on building palatial residences for  parliamentarians to some public welfare scheme. He pointed out that many people displaced by last year’s floods were still without a roof. Gilani vowed to respond to the letter once he received it.

It may be mentioned that the project’s PC-1 was given clearance by the Ecnec this month.

Under the plan, the scheme will be completed in 36 months. Some 104 family suites are to be constructed in the second phase of Parliament Lodges which will have a huge parking space and separate gyms for men and women.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2011.