Unnecessary Litigation By Contractor Delaying Bara Kahu Housing Project

ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th May, 2017 ) : The National Assembly was informed Wednesday that unnecessary litigation by contractor of Bara Kahu housing project of Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation was main cause of delay in starting the development work.

Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Housing and Works Sajid Mehdi told the House in response to a Calling Attention Notice that besides issuing notice to contractor Green Tree, the matter has also been referred to National Accountability Bureau.

He said the department faces certain hurdles in executing the projects. However, the present government has brought online all the five projects of the Ministry and "the progress and pace of work is satisfactory." MNAs Khalida Mansoor, Nighar Parveen Mir and Surriya Asghar had drawn the attention of the Minister for Housing and Works towards non-execution of different housing schemes as per schedule causing grave concern among the people.

The Parliamentary Secretary said except the Bara Kahu project that is delaying due to unnecessary litigation by the contractor, all other projects are online and being executed. He said the Supreme Court has taken suo moto notice of the matter in 2009 and directed timely execution of the project and the ministry proceeded accordingly.

But, the contractor got stay order from the High Court which is still pending before the court. Sajid Megdi said, the ministry has not only issued a notice to contractor but also has involved NAB to get the matter decided fixing responsibility.

"We have also stopped his payment due to non-execution of the project. Now, as soon as NAB would clear the matter, work will start on the project." He also informed the House that land for the project has already been acquired and the delay is only due to contractor and the Foundation is trying to resolve the issue.