MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas on Monday placed three officials of the physical planning and housing (PPH) department under suspension after taking strong exception to the alleged poor quality of work in an under-construction block of Kashmir House.

According to a press release issued by his office, the prime minister conducted surprise inspection of the under-construction residential block of Kashmir House and was “shocked to notice that not only the construction specifications had been disregarded and the pace of work was too slow, construction material was also below par.”

In the early 1980s, the AJK government had built the camp offices of its president and prime minister in addition to a 15-room hostel for cabinet members and government officials on the vast tract of land allotted by the federal government for establishment of Kashmir House in Islamabad. In the mid 1990s, a second residential block with 39 rooms, including four family suites, was built. After the 2005 earthquake, five bungalows were also constructed on its premises for the ‘lent officers’.

In 2016-17, construction of a third residential block, with 39 rooms, was initiated at a cost of Rs198.67 million. The cost was later revised to Rs259.47 million following some additions. Another contract worth Rs39 million was separately awarded for furniture supplies. The project, which underwent several delays, was scheduled to be handed over to the PPH department in June 2022. However, it is still in limbo because the furniture supplier has challenged the PPH department’s decision to cancel his contract after complaints of substandard supplies.

“Not only this construction is below standard but the specifications have also been violated,” PM Ilyas said.

After taking round of the under-construction block, the premier visited the PPH camp office in Kashmir House and ordered confiscation of the project’s entire record.

He ordered constitution of a committee, headed by the director general audit, to submit to him a report on “substandard construction in disregard of the laid down specifications” within five days. He also ordered suspension of the estate officer, sub-divisional officer and overseer posted in Kashmir House.

“Those who fritter away public money will be held accountable without any exception,” the prime minister said, adding that, “this case will be made an example for all such people”.

He also asked his staff to look into the complaints about the price and quality of food and cleanliness.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2022