ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel was informed on Wednesday that during a survey of 3,229 government-owned houses in G-6, G-7 and F-6, additional construction had been carried out in 1,224 houses and 262 residences were found to have been partially sublet.

This information was shared by Estate Office of the Ministry of Housing and Works with National Assembly Standing Committee on Housing, which met at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Member of National Assembly (MNA) Dr Ibadullah.

During the course of discussion, representatives of the Estate Office informed the committee that pursuant to the directions of the committee, survey was conducted in sectors G-6, G-7 and F-6.

“During a visit to 3,229 houses, additional construction in 1,224 houses was found while 262 houses were found to be partially sublet. Taking cognisance of the matter, allotments of 108 sublet houses were cancelled while efforts for cancellation of remaining sublet houses are underway,” the committee member said.

The committee members expressed concern over additional constructions and subletting of government houses and directed the office to take appropriate action with the help of all departments such as Public Works Department (PWD), Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and submit a report to the committee at the earliest.

On the issue of commercial units (petrol pumps and shops), leased out by the Estate Office, the committee noted that the lease period of 20 years needed to be shortened as the same would also help increase rental income of the department.

Referring to a decision of the Supreme Court, management of the Estate Office was directed by the committee to ensure that revision and enhancement of rental charges of these commercial units was done as per market rates on an annual basis.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2022