MPs slam 'mismanagement' of lodges
During the National Assembly's Question Hour on Wednesday, members from various political parties expressed strong concerns over ongoing issues related to the Parliament Lodges and called for urgent corrective measures.
In response to a question from Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam, Parliamentary Secretary Mukhtar Ahmad Malik clarified that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) does not handle the allocation of budget or allotment of lodges. He explained that the CDA's role is limited to utilising the budget as directed by the Parliament's House and Library Committee.
Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah admitted that CDA's performance in managing the lodges has been inadequate, citing the suspension of a director and deputy director due to mismanagement. He revealed that a meeting in the Planning Division is ongoing, and tenders will be issued once approval is granted. Currently, 51 MNAs are without official accommodation.
PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar proposed outsourcing the management of lodges to private firms, arguing that quality could improve under such arrangements while remaining within the current budget. This matter is under discussion in the Standing Committee on Finance.
MNA Noor Alam Khan raised concerns about the misuse of resources, noting that while MNAs pay rent and utility bills on time, employees at the lodges are receiving unnecessary perks. He also criticised the underutilisation of nearly 200 CDA staff, stating that only a few workers are available when needed. Furthermore, he highlighted that the gym at the Parliament Lodges is often used by non-members rather than elected officials.
MNA Syed Waseem suggested that room allotments should be merit-based and proposed reallocating lodges from ministers who have moved to the Ministers' Colony to accommodate MNAs in need.
Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry emphasized the seriousness of the issue, pointing out that complaints about the lodges are frequent. He called for the completion of a construction project that has been pending since 2008 to address the space shortage. He also stressed that management inefficiencies, such as inadequate janitorial services and maintenance issues, remain persistent. He urged that the CDA's performance can only improve with proper funding.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM writes to opp to confer on new CEC
After months of dead air and no movement on key electoral appointments, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday extended an olive branch to National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, inviting him for consultations on the appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). In a letter, the premier stated that the term of the CEC, as well as that of two other members of the ECP, ended on January 26. However, all three have continued their duties under Article 215 of the Constitution. He stated that, according to Article 218, proposals for the CEC and its members must be submitted to the parliamentary committee. The letter comes as the constitutional logjam has been festering since January, as the five-year terms of CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja, Sindh Member Nisar Durrani and Balochistan Member Shah Muhammad Jatoi ended on January 26. The process, laid out clearly in Article 213, requires a consensus between the prime minister and the opposition leader. In the event of no agreement, both sides are supposed to send separate lists of three names to a 12-member bipartisan committee, which would then pick one and send it to the president for formal appointment. However, the process has been gathering dust. Though the seats of the CEC and two members expired in January, the government allowed the 45-day constitutional deadline for new appointments, which lapsed on March 12, to come and go without resolution. The impasse now rests at the feet of both the treasury and opposition, with neither side making serious contact until the PM's letter. On the other hand, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has already taken the government to court in March. A petition filed in the Islamabad High Court by Ayub and Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz lambasts the inaction as a constitutional violation. It names the federal government, Senate chairman, National Assembly speaker and the ECP as respondents. The petition urges the court to compel the National Assembly speaker to constitute the required parliamentary committee and calls on the Senate chairman to provide names of senators for the same. It further asks the court to order the prime minister to hold meaningful consultations with Ayub, as required under Article 213, and to declare the continued presence of the CEC and two expired members as illegal. Constitutional experts point to the 26th Amendment, which altered Article 215(4) to allow officeholders to continue "till successors are appointed". Both opposition and observers allege the amendment is a legislative patch over executive indecision, especially when key posts meant to guarantee fair elections remain in limbo. Of the four members of the ECP, only the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa representatives - Babar Hassan Bharwana and Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan - still have valid tenures, both stretching till mid-2027. It is worth noting that CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja's tenure has been full of political minefields. Opposition parties, particularly the PTI, have accused him of everything from election mismanagement to open partisanship. He has been criticised for failing to ensure timely general elections and for stripping the PTI of its iconic 'bat' symbol ahead of the 2024 polls. The ECP has also come under fire for failing to implement the Supreme Court's verdict on reserved seats and for not holding Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a delay denounced by critics as undermining federal parliamentary integrity.
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business Recorder
CEC, members' nominations: PM invites Omar for consultation
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday invited the Opposition Leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub for consultations over the long-overdue appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), months after the incumbent's term expired in January. In a letter dated May 16, Sharif acknowledged that the term of current CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja ended on January 27, 2025. However, Raja continues to serve under the constitutional provision allowing the CEC and Election Commission members to remain in office until successors are appointed. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Environmental awareness: NA speaker highlights parliament's role
ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said the provision of a clean, green, and safe environment is a fundamental right of future generations, and environmental protection is a shared responsibility. 'Although Pakistan contributes merely 0.5 per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains among the countries most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change,' the speaker expressed these views in his message on the occasion of World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5 under the auspices of the United Nations. The speaker said that rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall patterns, glacial melting, and natural disasters such as floods are having a profound impact on Pakistan's environment—posing grave threats not only to the economy but also to human life. He warned that the current situation could hinder the achievement of sustainable development goals unless timely and integrated measures are taken. Speaker Sadiq also added that the Parliament of Pakistan has always played a pivotal role in promoting environmental awareness and enacting legislation related to environmental protection. He added that relevant committees remain actively engaged in this regard, and several initiatives have been proposed across the country, including afforestation drives, preservation of water resources, mitigation of air pollution, and promotion of environmental education. He stated that Pakistan's Parliament has made significant contributions towards formulating effective legislation and policies aimed at combating climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. The passage of the Pakistan Climate Change Act, 2017, and the ratification of the Paris Agreement 2015 stand as testament to the country's commitment to achieving global environmental targets. In this regard, the speaker also urged the international community to extend their support to developing countries such as Pakistan that, despite contributing minimally to global emissions, they bear the brunt of climate-related disasters. He stressed that climate justice demands a collective and equitable response to ensure a sustainable future for all. On this occasion, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah remarked that environmental pollution poses a serious threat not only to public health but also to biodiversity, agricultural output, and the national economy. He emphasised that safeguarding the environment is not solely the responsibility of the government or institutions—every citizen must play their part. He called upon the youth to adopt eco-friendly practices and actively contribute to the mission of making the planet a safer place. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
