Hand over provincial PWD projects to provinces for completion, orders PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved handing over of the ongoing development projects of PWD, which are of provincial nature, to the relevant provincial departments for completion.

Chairing a meeting here on Wednesday, he directed the Ministry of Housing and Works and Ministry of Planning and Development to complete the task in a week. Approval was also given to hand over 78 ongoing federal projects to relevant ministries or institutions for completion. Directions were given to complete the task in a week and a committee was formed for the purpose under the chairmanship of Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema. Secretary Planning and Development, Secretary Housing and Works and Secretary Power Division would be members of the committee.

Another committee, headed by Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazir Tarar, was formed to review the legality of offering voluntary golden handshake to the technical staff (officers and employees) of the PWD. Other members of the committee included Secretary Housing and Works, Secretary Law and Justice, Secretary Establishment Division and Secretary Finance Division. The committee would submit its report in three days.

Yet another committee was formed under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Senator Aurangzeb to review the financial impact of the golden handshake scheme. The members of the committee include Secretary Finance Division, Secretary Establishment Division and Secretary Housing and Works.

The committee has been given a week’s time to complete its task. In the meeting, it was decided that all non-technical staff of the PWD would be adjusted in the federal ministries and divisions through the Establishment Division.