Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Federal Minister for Housing and Works has stated that he had firm believe in the primacy of Parliament and fora like standing committees where collective wisdom prevails. He expressed his views during a meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works that was held today under the chairmanship of Senator Nasir Mehmood. Minister said that he discourages unbridled discretionary powers as it is an old pattern of governance. He endorsed inclusive decisions that guarantee transparency and optimal use of public resources particularly in the projects where billions have been invested by the general public. Minister explained that Ministry of Housing and Works is aggressively opting for systematic digitalization to bring utmost transparency and convenience. He mentioned a successful case of automation of General Waiting List for allotment of official residences where manual maneuvering has almost become impossible. He also apprised the committee that the ministry has been working on allotment criteria of official accommodations to make it fairer and just by revising the SOPs for those allottees who occupy government residences for generations. In such cases rights of deserving people have been badly infringed for years. In addition to this, Minister showed his utmost concern for those 140,000 members who have invested in different housing schemes. These schemes were launched under the ministry but they have been kept on waiting for years as the projects met illicit fate of suspension in the development work due to multiple factors. While discussing the shabby condition of Qasar-e-Naz in Karachi, Minister went on saying that ministry is chalking out plans for public private partnership for public properties worth billions that become prey of inadequate maintenance. Plans of out sourcing various properties at different stations are under consideration to improve facilities, maintenance and revenue generation.
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