ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on House and Library has rejected the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) request for additional funds to complete roads, parking areas, and servant quarters adjacent to the new Parliament Lodges.
The committee made it clear that no recommendation for a supplementary budget beyond the allocated funds would be made. A meeting of the committee was held on Thursday at the Parliament House, chaired by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Ghulam Mustafa Shah. The committee held detailed discussions on the Parliament Lodges extension project, security issues, and ongoing development works. CDA representatives briefed the committee that construction of 104 family suites at the Parliament Lodges was progressing rapidly, with one model suite already completed. The committee decided that members would inspect the completed suite before the next meeting to assess the quality of work.
MNA Aliya Kamran emphasized the importance of ensuring timely completion of the project. She also stressed that the CDA must recover costs from any contractors found responsible for substandard work.
During the briefing, the CDA officials informed the committee that additional funds were required for the completion of surrounding infrastructure, including roads, parking areas, and servant quarters. However, the committee reiterated its stance that no supplementary funds beyond the approved allocation would be recommended. The committee also discussed a theft incident that occurred in the family suite of MNA Aamir Magsi. It was revealed that no CCTV camera had been installed at the site of the incident. The deputy speaker expressed serious concern and directed that surveillance cameras be immediately installed at all uncovered locations.
The DIG Security briefed the committee on the overall security situation in the Red Zone and the Parliament Lodges. He informed the members that 56 CCTV cameras were installed in the Lodges, though some were currently non-functional. MNA Nabeel Gabol remarked that most security personnel were stationed at the main gates while internal areas remained inadequately covered. He urged that additional CCTV cameras be installed and that installation standards be improved. The CDA officials assured the committee that all security cameras would be fully functional within one week.
The committee also expressed dissatisfaction over poor cleanliness and maintenance at the MNA Hostel and directed authorities to take immediate steps to improve sanitation standards.
Later, the committee members, led by Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, visited the Parliament Lodges to review ongoing construction work. The deputy speaker inspected development activities and directed the authorities to expedite progress. He said the timely completion of the 104 family suites at the Parliament Lodges was a top priority and instructed CDA officials to ensure the project’s early completion.
