Senate Housing Committee Urges Swift Action on Islamabad Jail, Land Grabbing, and Housing Transparency

ISLAMABAD – The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, chaired by Senator Nasir Mehmood, convened a high-level meeting to address persistent challenges in land management, stalled infrastructure, and housing allocations, while renewing its commitment to accountability and reform.

The session began on a positive note, with members recognizing the successful resolution of a two-decade-old land dispute, credited to the new Secretary of Housing. However, discussions soon shifted to critical issues—chief among them, the unresolved illegal occupation of government land since 1989. While the committee joked about dividing the land among themselves, the remark underlined the seriousness of long-standing encroachments. The Secretary highlighted procedural limits but acknowledged the importance of public oversight.

Senator Nasir Mehmood expressed concern over continued land grabbing, especially in Murree. “This issue has persisted for forty years,” he said. “If the squatters are alive, action must be taken.” The absence of the Chief Commissioner Rawalpindi was noted with disappointment, though it was explained he was engaged in Muharram security duties. The committee asked for his presence in future sessions to enhance coordination.

The committee also tackled delays in the Islamabad Central Jail project, stalled since 2013 due to bureaucratic conflict between the Planning Division and Finance Ministry. CDA officials confirmed that the project is only 51% complete. While Rs 1.32 billion was released this fiscal year, a further Rs 2.5 billion is required. If funding is secured, CDA estimates the remaining work could finish in four months. The Chairman warned that prolonged delays would inflate costs and blamed misalignment between departments.

Staffing plans for the prison were discussed, with the committee stressing that recruitment must align with the facility’s operational readiness. The jail is one of 15 Interior Ministry projects awaiting completion.

On housing, lawmakers voiced concern over unfair allocation practices, where some officials hold multiple residences while others wait for years. A new mobile app to digitize and manage the housing list was welcomed, but Senator Mehmood called for a more transparent, real-time allocation system. “People should not receive housing only at retirement,” he said.

A representative from Balochistan raised alarm over fake domiciles being used to steal government jobs from local candidates. The committee took this issue seriously and called for a detailed report.

Further, the committee demanded urgent maintenance of government buildings like Chamba House and the Shaheed-e-Millat Secretariat, where lift replacements and structural repairs are pending. Lawmakers also asked for draft rules to replace the outdated AARs, and the rationale behind proposed amendments.