LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly has constituted a special committee to probe into the escalation of cost of several projects launched in 2007-08 due to “unnecessary and criminal delays” by the previous government.

The 12-member committee will be headed by law minister Basharat Raja.

The law minister on a point of order had apprised the house on Oct 23 that during 2007-08, the cost of several projects escalated manifold because of “unnecessary and criminal” delays by the previous government.

On the instructions of Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the law minister moved a motion and the House on Wednesday constituted a special committee.

The committee members are: public prosecution minister Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, finance minister Hashim Jawan Bakht, Sardar Asif Nakai, MPAs Muhammad Latasub Satti, Chaudhry Sajid Mahmood, Muhammad Muneeb Sultan Cheema, Zainab Umair, Khadija Umer, Rais Nabeel Ahmad, Malik Ghulam Qasim Hinjra and Nazar Ahmad Chohan.

After a thorough probe, the committee shall fix the responsibility thereof and shall submit its report along with its recommendations within a period of two months.—Staff Reporter