Senate panel discusses Marwat’s appointment as FGEHA DG

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Housing and Works has told the Senate Committee on Housing and Works that as per the policy of Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) for its employees, Sher Afzal Marwat had been allotted a plot.

The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works held its meeting under Chairman Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan at the Parliament House on Tuesday.

The committee members unanimously recommended to provide the record on the allotment of plot to Sher Afzal Marwat in the next meeting. Sher Afzal Khan, now the lawyer of former prime minister Imran Khan, was appointed on deputation as DG FGEHA in 2008. At that time, the ministry was allotted to the JUI-F in the coalition government of PPP.

The committee discussed the appointment of Sher Afzal Marwat as the Director General (DG) of Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA). The official of the Ministry of Housing and Works provided a detailed explanation of Sher Afzal Marwat’s joining and tenure.

Secretary Ministry of Housing and Works asserted in the Senate body meeting that there are no corruption allegations against Marwat as the DG FGEHA. Moreover, no case has been recorded against Marwat by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Senator Saifullah Abro expressed displeasure and recommended that, in the next meeting, the people responsible for Sher Afzal Marwat’s appointment be called.

The members of the committee deliberated on the highlighted question number 52, raised by Senator Dost Muhammad Khan during the Senate session on November 10, 2023. Dost Muhammad Khan expressed his concerns on the deplorable condition of government accommodations, specifically in the G8 Colony, pointing out that poor people are not being facilitated appropriately.

Dost Muhammad Khan questioned the senior official of the Ministry of Housing and Works on the funds allocated for officials on higher posts.

The chairman of the committee, Hidayatullah Khan, asked the officers to provide details of Rs40 million allocated by the government. The officers from the Ministry of Housing explained that they have worked in various areas, including water supply and sewerage services in I-9, G-9, and G-10. However, they emphasized that Rs40 million was not sufficient, and they have requested Rs716 million for further allocations from the government.

The chairman of the committee also enquired about the utilization of Rs100 million mentioned in the brief. The secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Works further added that the residential areas are 50 to 60 years old, and Rs100 million were not sufficient for their maintenance.

Senator Dost Muhammad Khan requested that the committee to recommend more funds for the maintenance of federal government houses.

Additionally, officers from the Ministry of Housing and Works provided a comprehensive briefing on the progress of Park Road (Package-I).

Senator Saifullah Abro raised concerns on rate analysis, detailed information, and the modus operandi of contracts. He suggested that officers might be involved in significant unchecked irregularities and recommended putting payments on hold until these issues were resolved.

Senator Afnan Ullah Khan also stated that the committee members have not reached a productive conclusion on these projects. He emphasized upon the impact of those projects on 4,500 people and urged swift progress.

The officers from the Ministry of Housing and Works reported that onsite progress of the projects has reached 7.2 percent. Moreover, since the last meeting of the committee, the physical progress of the project has reached Rs7.2 billion.

The committee members unanimously recommended that the Ministry of Housing and Works officers would present working and effective solutions for underlying projects in the next meeting.