Senate Panel Questions Delay In Work On Parliamentary Lodges
Senate sub-committee has shown strong dissatisfaction over the sluggish pace of work on the new Parliament Lodges project in Islamabad, with the chair warning it may not be finished even by 2030 if things continue as they are.
Chaired by Senator Nasir Butt, the Senate House Committee’s sub-panel met this week to review the status of 104 new lodges being constructed for parliamentarians.
Officials from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) presented a 3D model of the under-construction lodges.
But the absence of the project contractor during the session triggered sharp criticism from members.
Senator Butt didn’t hold back. He said the pace of the project was so poor, “it won’t be completed even by 2030.” His remarks came as he grilled CDA officials over conflicting statements.
One key moment came when he pointed out that the CDA had earlier claimed to the Deputy Chairman Senate that one lodge was already ready for inspection. Yet, during the meeting, CDA officials denied making any such statement.
To clarify the matter on the spot, Senator Butt phoned the Deputy Chairman Senate mid-session and asked directly whether such a briefing had taken place. The Deputy Chairman confirmed it.
That led to a blunt response from the senator: “There’s nothing on the ground yet.” He expressed deep frustration over what he described as misleading information being shared with senior officials.
CDA officials, in response to the criticism, requested 10 days to complete a sample model lodge for demonstration. They assured the committee it would be ready within that timeframe and invited members to visit the site afterward.
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CDA also informed the committee that a summary worth Rs. 3 billion had been sent for the renovation of the old lodges. The sub-committee went on to approve the new design and instructed CDA to begin construction work without delay.
Senator Butt emphasized that transparency, quality, and timely delivery were essential. He called for strict oversight to ensure parliamentarians’ housing needs are met without further setbacks.
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