ISLAMABAD: The Sub-Committee of the Senate House Committee expressed strong concern over the non-submission of the Technical Inquiry Report, which was required within 21 days.
The Sub-Committee meeting was chaired by Senator Nasir Mehmood. It noted that the details provided by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) only outlined expenditures.It directed submission of a complete inquiry report, including comprehensive details of expenditure on ad-hoc staff hiring and outsourced janitorial services at the next meeting.
At the outset, the Committee voiced serious concern over the absence of the Chairman CDA and the Member Engineering. It was informed that the Chairman CDA was abroad on an official visit and the Member Engineering was unwell. The Committee viewed their absence as a disregard for parliamentary directives and instructed that the Minister for Interior, Chairman CDA, all relevant officers, and the contractor must attend the next meeting to brief the Committee. Senator Danesh Kumar expressed displeasure over the late submission of working papers. The Committee warned that continued non-compliance with its directives would lead it to recommend appropriate parliamentary action against the concerned officers.
The Special Secretary, Ministry of Interior, assured that all required details would be provided within a week following an internal review. The Committee later visited the 104 Lodges project site and directed the CDA to complete the pending works at the earliest opportunity. It noted the contractor’s absence and mandated their presence at the next meeting to explain the delays.
The Committee reaffirmed “Option 2” for the lodges’ design and was assured that a model suite would be completed and presented by October 24. The Committee recalled that, during its meeting on January 16, Senator Saleem Mandviwala had mentioned mutual agreement with the NA Speaker that, upon completion of Block-104, the Senators would shift to the new lodges, and the existing Parliament Lodges would be handed over to the National Assembly.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and timely project completion, the Committee directed the CDA to ensure strict compliance with all directives. The next meeting of the Sub-Committee is scheduled for October 24 to review the prototype suite and compliance report.
