ISLAMABAD: The Senate Housing and Works Committee on Wednesday observed that most matters of the ministry with regards to projects and housing schemes were sub judice in courts, which was causing delay in their recommencement and affecting overall development.

The committee, which met with Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan in the chair, expressed resentment at the working and progress of the ministry, saying that the ministry had concealed information from the Senate panel to mislead it.

The committee sought details of various tendering processes, briefs and updated reports on the progress of ongoing and upcoming projects.

The committee was informed that due deliberation was made on the allotment and quota policy of the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) by the legal team of the authority and housing ministry before sending the case to the cabinet.

The revised Allotment and Quota Policy was submitted before the cabinet on Oct 29, 2021 and it granted approval on Nov 2, 2021. Af ter approval from the cabinet, the revised policy was submitted before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Nov 22, 2021.

The housing secretary and FGEHA director general along with learned counsel appeared before the court and assisted it on the revised allotment policy of the FGEHA.

The IHC declared the revised Allotment Policy unconstitutional and illegal and a civil petition for leave to appeal (CPLA) was filed with the Supreme Court. The decision in this regard was awaited.

A phase-wise briefing was also held on the construction of Kashmir Avenue apartments in G-13.

The committee was informed that the Kashmir Avenue Apartment Project, subsequent to resolution of the price hike issue, would be completed in the next 30 months af ter recommencement of work.