Housing ministry under fire over FGEHA projects

The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works has sought a report about Rs500 million in funds that were released for development schemes to the ministry and the status of work on these projects.

The panel, headed by Senator Haji Hidayatullah, also reprimanded officials, including the housing secretary, over illegal appointments and corrupt practices. The panel noted that other than causing losses to the exchequer, it would also impact those government employees who were allotted residences in the housing projects developed under the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA).

It was also revealed that provincial quota was ignored in recruitment, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa given more seats.

FGEHA Director General Captain (retired) Zafar Iqbal said that four projects were started by the authority, which include Kashmir Heights, Chaklala Heights, Skyline Apartments and Lifestyle Residency.

The panel was informed that the contract awarded for the construction of one of the projects, Lifestyle Residency, was given to a company that lack the requisite expertise and certification. The company that was awarded the project also did not have the funds to execute it, the panel was told.

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Meanwhile, construction on Chaklala Heights started in 2020 but had to be stopped due to the pandemic and the ensuing inflation. It brought other projects to a standstill as well, Iqbal said.

Panel members pointed out that they had been previously given dates regarding the start of work but it was yet to happen, wasting resources and driving up costs.

Dr. Shahzad Khan Bangash, the secretary of the housing department, responded that contractors had refused to work at the old prices after which they had reached a settlement.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2023.