One Constitution Avenue project is corruption free, FIA informs NA

Committee took notice of AGP's absence from meeting

ISLAMABAD: A representative of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday informed the National Assembly’s panel on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource that the One Constitution Avenue project in Islamabad is fair a and corruption free.

The standing committee recommended that the chief justice of Pakistan and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman to safeguard the interests of innocent people.

In 2016, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had cancelled the 13.5-acre plot on which high-rise hotel building was being constructed. The Islamabad High Court had also upheld the CDA’s action declaring the construction of luxury apartments on land meant for a hotel as illegal.



MNA Nasir Khan maintained that one day the CDA cancels a plot, only to restores it later, and no one is found responsible for these actions. Shagufta Jumani talked about the habitual absence of the officials concerned when they are called for explanations.

The 37th meeting of the Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was held under the chairmanship of Mir Aamir Ali Khan Magsi.

The committee brought under consideration the issue of the Grand Hyatt Hotel at the Constitution Avenue development, compensation to Overseas Pakistanis who have invested in the project, and updates regarding the FIA's inquiry.



The committee took serious notice of the absence of Attorney General of Pakistan from the meeting without any prior intimation.

The committee considered the issue of pending cases of Overseas Pakistanis relating to death claims in OPF. The MD Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) assured the committee that all pending cases have been entertained accordingly.

The panel considered the consular protection policy formulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in pursuance of the order of the Lahore High Court dated March 14, 2017. The committee recommended that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may submit protection policy and the complete detail of Pakistanis imprisoned in different countries along with the assistance provided to them.

The panel questioned the Foreign Office about the lack of consular assistance provided to Pakistanis detained abroad. Committee Member Sheikh Salahuddin asked Foreign Office representatives to submit a list of Pakistani nationals imprisoned abroad.



The chair of the committee also asked that the draft of the consular policy and status of the prisoner transfer agreements with China and Saudi Arabia to be presented.

Committee Member Aisha Syed proposed to take measures to regulate employment agents and asked for a comprehensive briefing to inform parliamentarians about the difficulties faced by Pakistanis imprisoned abroad.

MNAs including Mian Imtiaz Ahmed, Sheikh Salahuddin, Suraiya Jatoi, Aliya Kamran, Sabiha Nazir, Musarat Rafique Mahesar, Shagufta Jumani, Nasir Khan, Aisha, Shakila Khalid Luqman and the senior officers from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development also attended the meeting.