ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Tuesday decided to ask the prime minister to refer the matter of the substandard construction of the recently inaugurated Cardiac Centre to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The Cardiac Centre building at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) was inaugurated by the Minister of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Barrister Usman Ibrahim on April 9. The building houses 120 beds for patients, two cardiac operation theatres, three angiography labs, an intensive care unit, a coronary care unit, a private cardiac ward, an outpatient department and a cardiac emergency department.

The project plan for the Centre was approved in 2004, but construction work was delayed so the plan was once again revised in 2008. Perhaps in a hurry to take credit, former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf inaugurated the Centre before the building was complete.

Following the inauguration, there was a delay in release of funds and Public Works Department (PWD) claimed another Rs34 million as rise in the cost, causing further delay.

The PWD handed over the building to Pims in 2014, after its completion.

However, soon after the handing over, the National Engineering Services of Pakistan (Nespak) raised objections over the quality of construction work as the basement was routinely flooded with rainwater and doors were too narrow for stretchers to pass through. The PWD was asked to remove these flaws and the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission began an inquiry into the poor quality of work.

Construction flaws exposed by recent rains; six feet of water enters basement

The Inspection Commission inquiry found nine officers of PWD and five officers of Pims responsible. However, no action could be taken against the officers responsible, because permission from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was required.

During the meeting on Tuesday, Pims Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Javed Akram informed the committee that considering the problems faced by patients it was decided to take possession of the Cardiac Centre building. However, six feet of rainwater entered the basement which proved that the flaws had not been removed.

“Not only was the project delayed by eight years but the cost also increased by eight times, reaching Rs 1.26 billion,” he said.

Standing Committee Chairman Rana Muhammad Hayat instructed the VC to take action against the responsible persons within one month and inform the committee.

MNA Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the case should be referred to NAB and suggested the committee chairman to recommend this to the prime minister.

Dr Javed agreed and said that responsible officials should be identified and the money should be recovered from those who constructed the building. He said a letter has already been sent to the Prime Minister Office and the committee should send a reminder to the prime minister.

“The case should be referred to NAB,” he said.

The committee chairman gave instructions for a letter to be sent on behalf of the committee, to the prime minister office suggesting that the case be referred to NAB.

CADD Joint Secretary Akbar Shamim said that he had inspected the building and will again evaluate what the condition of the building was, after being flooded.

Mr Hayat also gave instructions for a letter to be sent to CADD, to submit report regarding the state of the building.

Moreover, the committee directed Vice Chancellor Pims Dr Javed Akram to submit a detailed report on action taken against the persons responsible for the construction flaws within 30 days.

Meanwhile, the chairman standing committee showed annoyance over the absence of Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) managing director at the meeting as only a legal officer of PBM participated.

He instructed the PBM to submit the list of 100 patients, along with their addresses, who received maximum benefits from the PBM.

Published in Dawn ,July 15th, 2015

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