ISLAMABAD: After receiving complaints from senators, the Senate Committee on House on Wednesday recommended that renovation work be done in Parliament Lodges.

The committee met at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services with Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwalla in the chair and discussed various issues in Parliament Lodges.

Committee members said the roof is leaking and that air conditioners do not work properly at the lodges.

They said there is also a termite infestation which has resulted in damage to the furniture. Members also complained about a rodent infestation.

According to a press release, members said the paint is faded, the cafeteria needs repair work and the furniture needs to be replaced.

The committee also pointed out that the fire and safety system in the lodges is not in accordance with the standards and the elevators do not function properly.

They said the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which looks after the affairs of the lodges, has been claiming there is no budget.

Nespak Managing Director Dr Tahir Masood gave a briefing about the lodges. He said the building was constructed in 1998 consisting of nine blocks and 361 family suites. He suggested the blocks should be renovated one by one and that one block can be renovated in six months.

He said the renovation and repair work will be completed by 2021.

Dr Masood said Nespak should be engaged as a consultant and adviser and that the organisation can complete its recommendations by Sept 13.

The committee chairman said that if need arises, the rules will be amended.

Dr Masood also briefed the committee about the construction of 104 new family suites and 500 servant quarters.

He said the PC-1 of this project was approved in 2010 and was worth Rs2.91 billion for which CDA was the executing agency.

The committee was told that after completion, Block E-5 is in use.

CDA officials said efforts are being made to get the delayed project restarted and completed.

The construction of 104 family suites has been facing delays for many years.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2018