The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works has set a firm deadline for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Courts in Lahore to settle rent arrears, which have accumulated to Rs63.378 million since March 2021.
Chairing the committee, Senator Nasir Mehmood emphasized that the NAB courts, currently operating out of the Federal Lodge in Wafaqi Colony, must clear the dues within a week. Failure to comply, he warned, would compel authorities to ask the courts to vacate the premises.
The committee also scrutinized broader housing sector irregularities, highlighting stalled projects, unpaid rents, and noncompliance across government offices.
Housing Ministry Seeks Action Amid Delays
According to the Housing Ministry, repeated efforts to resolve the matter—through official memoranda sent on May 14, June 24, and July 1, 2025—have gone largely ignored by the Ministry of Law and Justice. During a July 9 meeting, the Law Ministry requested a waiver of rent and even proposed permanent transfer of the property title. The Housing Ministry, however, maintained that immediate payment was non-negotiable.
PHAF Offices Without Legal Tenure for 26 Years
The committee also flagged the Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF) for occupying office space in the Shaheed-e-Millat Secretariat for over two decades without a formal agreement. PHAF has been ordered to finalize a legal contract and commence rent payments within two weeks, underscoring the committee’s broader push for accountability.
Lifestyle Residency Project Faces Multiple Hurdles
Senator Humayun Mohmand raised concerns regarding the stalled Lifestyle Residency project. Committee discussions revealed that financial difficulties faced by a joint venture partner, internal disputes between contractors Progressive and Granite, and the death of the project contractor in December 2022 contributed to the delay. Efforts to revive the project through fresh tenders have failed, and the matter will remain pending until the completion of a final audit report.
Federal Housing Authority Post Proposal Rejected
In response to a petition seeking the creation of a BS-19 director position within the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA), officials confirmed that no new posts would be created. Instead, the focus will remain on optimizing the current administrative structure.
FIA Reports Corruption Cases in Housing Sector
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) briefed the committee on past corruption cases in the housing sector, revealing 316 inquiries and 22 formal cases involving the Ministry of Housing & Works and its associated departments over the last decade. Of these, 216 inquiries have been closed, 80 remain under investigation, and 18 FIRs have been challaned.
The Senate committee’s recent sessions signal growing pressure on government bodies to enforce financial accountability and streamline housing sector governance, sending a clear message that longstanding delays and unpaid dues will no longer be tolerated.
