Appointment powers: Limit army chief’s role in DHAs, states panel

Senate defence committee proposes DHA administrators be appointed by the defence ministry.

ISLAMABAD:

A parliamentary panel questioned the legality of the Defence Housing Authorities (DHAs) in the country, while also proposing new measures to curtail the army chief’s powers in the affairs of such housing societies.

The Senate Standing Committee on Defence met at the Parliament House to discuss issues related to DHA, military-owned property and cantonments. The meeting was chaired by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed.

The committee was given a detailed briefing on DHAs set up in different parts of the country. Administrators of the housing authority in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad informed the committee about the legal status of DHAs.

According to a statement issued after the meeting, the Senate panel proposed that the administrators of DHAs should be appointed by the defence ministry, instead of the army chief.



The committee also took exception to the alleged misbehaviour of military personnel with members of parliament.

It directed the Ministry of Defence to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SPO) in this regard and also asked the ministry to issue
fresh instructions to avoid unwarranted security checks in cantonment areas, particularly in Peshawar and Malir.

Members of the committee expressed their dismay over the poor performance of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and regretted the unsatisfactory treatment of passengers, including flight delays.



Senator Mushahid, on behalf of the committee, assured all-out support to the national flag carrier, while the committee directed PIA management to improve the quality of its performance and services.

PIA’s Managing Director Junaid Yunus informed the committee about the acquisition of new aircraft and the opening up of new routes for the airline.

He said the induction of new aircraft would help uplift the organisation. During the meeting, the committee also approved the restructuring plan of the Airport Security Force.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2013.