Islamabad (GNP) :- Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works met at the Old PIPS Hall Parliament Lodges, under the chairmanship of Senator Nasir Mehmood to review compliance on directives issued in the previous meeting regarding the transfer and payment of salaries to employees of the former Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak PWD).
The committee took up the compliance report from several ministries and departments that had been directed in the meeting held on February 16, 2026 to accept the transfer of the remaining Pak PWD maintenance staff and ensure payment of salaries along with arrears for the last seven months. The directive was issued in pursuance of the Federal Cabinet decision notified by the Ministry of Housing and Works through a notification dated September 6, 2024. Departments under review included the Ministry of Interior (Civil Defence), Ministry of Planning, Auditor-General of Pakistan, Intelligence Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency, Federal Board of Revenue, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi, Border Health Services Pakistan Karachi, and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.
During the meeting, the chairman called representatives from each concerned department to present updates on compliance with the directives of the Prime Minister regarding the release of salaries for employees absorbed into various departments following the restructuring of Pak PWD.
Chairman Committee Senator Nasir Mehmood said the sole purpose of the committee’s intervention was to ensure that salaries of the affected workers were released without further delay. He stated that the committee wanted to see the issue resolved before the upcoming Eid so that employees who had no fault in the administrative transition were not made to suffer financially.
According to the latest status report presented before the committee as of March 5, 2026, a total of 3,225 employees from various departments are currently under review with regard to salary payments and transfer status.
The committee was informed that salaries are currently being paid to 2,940 employees, representing 91.1 percent of the total. These employees have already been absorbed across several federal departments and organizations. The largest number, 1,493 employees, has been accommodated in the Capital Development Authority, followed by 970 employees in the Estate Office. Other departments paying salaries include the Ministry of Defence with 95 employees, the Federal Shariat Court with one employee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with 60 employees, the Federal Board of Revenue with 116 employees, the National Accountability Bureau with 35 employees, the Controller General of Accounts with 90 employees, and the Intelligence Bureau with 80 employees.
The committee was further informed that in cases where the taking over process has been completed but salary arrangements are still being processed, 185 employees, representing 5.8 percent of the total, fall under this category. These include 40 employees in the Federal Board of Revenue, 49 employees in the Ministry of Defence (Pakistan Meteorological Department), 30 employees in the Cabinet Division, and 66 employees under Border Health Services including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and the National Institute of Child Health in Karachi. These departments have approached the Finance Division for allocation of funds during the current financial year.
Another category includes 30 employees, representing 0.9 percent, where the taking over process is in the final stages. These include 20 employees under the Auditor General of Pakistan and 10 employees under the Intelligence Bureau.
In addition, the committee reviewed cases of 70 employees, representing 2.2 percent of the total workforce, where the taking over process is still underway. These include 11 employees in the Ministry of Planning, nine in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 23 in the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, seven in the Ministry of Interior under Civil Defence, and 20 employees in the Federal Investigation Agency. It was recalled that during meetings held on December 4 and December 15, 2025, these departments had committed to expediting the transfer process for the remaining staff.
Expressing concern over delays, Chairman Committee Senator Nasir Mehmood remarked that it was surprising that certain matters remained pending despite clear directives from the Prime Minister. He directed all concerned departments to submit compliance reports within three days and resolve the matter immediately, while departments requiring additional time were allowed a maximum of seven days to finalize the process.
The committee also deliberated on Agenda Item No. 4 regarding the status and ownership record of Chamba House in Lahore. The committee was informed that serious efforts had been made by Mr. Sagib Gulzar, Deputy Director Estate Office Lahore, who held multiple meetings with provincial authorities including the Assistant Commissioner Tehsil City Lahore and the Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Lahore. During these deliberations, the provincial authorities requested ownership records of Chamba House from the federal government.
Officials informed the committee that historically the Pakistan Public Works Department had served as custodian of lands belonging to the Ministry of Housing and Works. However, despite repeated requests by the Estate Office for original documentation, no complete property record of Chamba House could be located within Pak PWD archives. The only available document was a copy of a cheque showing payment for the purchase of the property. Due to the incomplete record, reconciliation and further progress on the matter has remained stalled.
The committee was also informed that clarification regarding the status of the term “Central Government” being equivalent to “Federal Government” has been referred to the Law and Justice Division and the Cabinet Division. Officials noted that under the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964, the term “Central Government” has been defined as the Federal Government.
The committee also finalized the report on Starred Question No. 6 raised by Senator Shahadat Awan during the Senate sitting held on November 4, 2025. The question sought details of retired government officers currently occupying government accommodation in Islamabad along with the amount of outstanding rent against them. The matter had been referred to the committee for examination and submission of a report within 60 days. The committee was informed that the report had been completed and the issue was accordingly disposed of.
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