Islamabad: The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has reviewed the rules, eligibility criteria and procedure for allotment of residential plots to journalists and media workers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, calling for greater transparency in the process.
The meeting was chaired by Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi and attended by Senators Jan Muhammad and Abdul Shakoor Khan. Representatives of the Parliamentary Reporters Association of Pakistan (PRA), National Press Club, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and media workers also participated.
The Director General of the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) briefed the committee on the allotment policy under FGEHA schemes.
He informed the committee that a 2 percent quota for journalists and media workers had been allocated in Phase-I, while 1 percent had been reserved for journalists in Phase-II. Phase-I allotments had already been completed.
The committee was informed that applicants were required to have at least 20 years of professional experience and be serving in Islamabad or Rawalpindi. The concerned newspaper was also required to have remained on the Central Media List for the preceding three years.
In addition, the spouse of an applicant should not previously have been allotted a residential plot in Islamabad or Rawalpindi.
The DG FGEHA said eligible applicants had been identified by FGEHA and allotments would be made on the basis of seniority. A total of 85 plots of different categories are available under Phase-II.
Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi directed that all eligible journalists and media persons should be considered strictly according to seniority and that the process should not be unnecessarily delayed.
He directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to accord priority to the matter and said the Sub-Committee would review progress after one month.
Media representatives raised concerns regarding applications submitted under the Bara Kahu scheme, alleging that the first-come, first-served criterion had not been followed and expressing apprehension that the same issue could arise during Phase-II.
The representatives also highlighted the cases of 35 applicants who had approached the Wafaqi Mohtasib and had reportedly been awaiting resolution since 2004.
They urged the committee to obtain lists of journalists and media persons who had received two plots under previous schemes to ensure transparency and prevent duplication.
The eligibility of employees of Associated Press of Pakistan and Pakistan Television (PTV) was also discussed. The DG FGEHA informed the committee that APP employees were members of the Islamabad Press Club, whereas PTV employees were not.
The Convener directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to move the requisite summary to the Prime Minister's Office for resolution of outstanding issues concerning journalists.
He also directed that APP be invited to the next meeting to discuss matters relating to its employees.
The DG FGEHA assured the Sub-Committee that the cases of the 35 applicants would be taken up with the relevant authorities.
The Sub-Committee decided to review progress on all outstanding matters after one month and directed that an updated report of the Plot Selection Committee for Journalists be furnished within 15 days.