By Aamir Lashari
Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Works has unanimously urged the Prime Minister to review and reconsider the decision to dissolve the Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak PWD). The committee expressed serious concerns, warning that the dissolution could not only affect thousands of employees but also disrupt crucial public infrastructure projects across the country.
The meeting, held on February 25, 2025, at the Ministry of Housing and Works, was chaired by Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri. During the session, the Secretary of Housing and Works briefed the committee on the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2024-25 budget. He informed members that the ministry oversees 162 development projects worth Rs. 100.706 billion, with Rs. 48.463 billion already spent through Pak PWD by June 2024. However, following the department’s dissolution, these projects were transferred to provincial authorities, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and the Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited (PIDCL).
Despite the transfer, the committee was informed that the release of funds remains stalled due to the non-opening of assignment accounts by CDA and PIDCL, raising concerns over delays in project execution.
Expressing grave concerns, the committee cautioned that halting ongoing projects could lead to significant financial losses and hinder national infrastructure development. It urged the government to immediately allocate funds for all PSDP and Special Assistance Program (SAP) projects to ensure timely completion.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, committee members, and senior officials from the ministry and its affiliated departments.
