ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works on Wednesday reviewed a range of issues concerning government accommodation for public officials including Green Land and Sky Garden projects in Rawalpindi, the Thalian Housing Scheme and directed early resolution of issues pertaining to FGEHA’s housing schemes.

The committee, chaired by Senator Nasir Butt, was briefed by Commissioner Rawalpindi and Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Rawalpindi about the Green Land and Sky Garden projects.

The commissioner informed the committee that the Supreme Court had issued a decision in 2018 regarding the recovery of common land, and notices were issued to the relevant housing societies and action was taken as per the court’s directions.

He said there was currently no activity taking place on the land and that construction at Green Land had been demolished.

A digital map of the land had also been prepared and monitoring was continuing to ensure protection of the area.

He further said that forest land would be maintained in its original condition and that records relating to the cases were being collected for further consideration by the competent forum.

Meanwhile, the victims of the Thalian Housing Scheme also briefed the committee and sought relief after years of uncertainty.

The applicants stated that the scheme had been launched in 2015, following which they deposited amounts with the Ministry of Housing.

They informed the committee that the scheme was subsequently discontinued and that affected applicants had been awaiting a suitable resolution.

The applicants stated that approximately 5,000 people had been affected and requested that they be accommodated through an appropriate alternative housing arrangement.

The committee also reviewed the progress of housing schemes being implemented by the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) and other relevant institutions and emphasised the need for timely completion of projects.

The committee also discussed the housing quota for journalists and media workers in F-14, F-15 and Bara Kahu.

Senator Jan Mohammad highlighted the importance of providing adequate representation to journalists in housing schemes and said that the quota for journalists, which had traditionally been 2pc, should be restored.

The committee supported the proposal and emphasised the need to facilitate journalists and media workers who have been waiting for housing opportunities.

He further stated that the restoration of the quota to 2pc would require completion of the relevant process.

President of the National Press Club Abdul Razzaq Sial informed the committee that the existing quota had been divided between journalists and media workers and that approximately 2,200 applications had been received, while 237 plots were currently being allocated.

He said an increase in the quota would enable more eligible journalists and media workers to be accommodated.

He also apprised the committee of pending cases of journalists, including the case of 37 journalists in G-14, which had remained under consideration since 2004.

The committee chairman, Senator Nasir Butt, directed that the matter concerning the 37 journalists be taken up with the relevant forum and assured the journalists that appropriate recommendations would be forwarded for consideration.

Secretary General of the National Press Club Furqan Rao also requested that employees of APP be considered for inclusion in the journalists’ quota in accordance with the eligibility criteria.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026