Islamabad: In a Significant meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Chairman Committee Senator Shahadat Awan lamented Housing and Works Officials for delaying the basic necessities projects of Sindh Province for two and half years. He asserted that the projects were announced by the Prime
Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and it is unfortunate that nothing has been done towards their completion except repeatedly reflecting them in papers. Senator Shahadat Awan deferred the deliberations by directing the concerned Federal Secretary to submit substantiate reasons of delay in the upcoming meeting and recommended Federal Minister to look into the matter.
Secretary Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs,Humaira Ahmad, briefed that a total of three Human Rights on going schemes are included in PSDP 2025 -26. The Committee called for the completion of 'Establishment of Project Planning and Monitoring Unit in MOHR', which has been pending for the last four years.
However, Secretary Parliamentary Affairs,Humaira Ahmed, also asserted for the transfer of project named 'Construction of Additional Family Suits for the members of Parliament including 500 Servant Quarters at G-5/2' to Interior Ministry as the Parliamentary Affairs lacks supervisory mechanism.
Officials of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan briefed about the World Bank Funded Project 'Strengthening Institutions for Refugees Administration (SIRA)' and requested the committee to provide rupee cover for the timely completion of the project.
Echoing the Sentiment for the energy impact in the nation's future, Senator Afnan Ullah remarked that it is unfortunate that only one project has been included by the Petroleum Ministry for the PSDP 2025-26. The Committee recommended the petroleum division to include impactful projects that could play pivotal role in reshaping country's energy demands.
Reviewing the Projects of Revenue Division and ReligiousandInter-faith Ministry, Officials of both the departments stated that their projects had been delayed due to disbandment of Pak PWD and they will be completed in the coming Financial Year.
Secretary Commerce Division,Jawad Paul, briefed the committee about the existing lacunas in the completion of 'Quetta Expo Centre'. He highlighted that the concerns were raised over the soul infertility of the 'Eastern Bypass land', after the partially construction of boundary wall,and the matter is still pending before the committee of CDWP.
Lastly, the Committee was briefed about the SIFC project 'Invest Pakistan', which was introduced to harness professional support in making the projects attractable for the foreign partners.
The Committee concluded its second session and will resume its third session tomorrow at 11:30 am.
In attendance were Senators Zeeshan Khanzada,Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan and Senior Officials of relevant departments.