ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the National Assembly on Monday that the decision to close the Public Works Department (PWD) was made in consultation with all provinces, not unilaterally by the federal government.
Responding to a question during the Question Hour, the minister said provincial representatives were fully involved in deliberations, including meetings of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) held on 13th August 2024.
He added that the decision was finalized after thorough consultations with all stakeholders. He explained that PWD employees had been divided into two categories. Technical staff, mostly civil servants, were being adjusted through options such as the surplus pool or transfers to other departments, while a golden handshake scheme was also under consideration.
He assured the House that employees’ salaries and pensions would remain unaffected. The minister added that maintenance staff from grades 1 to 13 had been accommodated into relevant departments, including provincial institutions where required.
Development and maintenance responsibilities previously handled by PWD had now been reassigned to institutions such as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Islamabad and other provincial entities.
Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said ongoing Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects were being executed by the relevant federal and provincial departments, including the Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited (PIDCL), particularly in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He acknowledged some initial challenges during the transition but expressed confidence that concerned institutions were being strengthened to effectively carry forward development projects. He assured the House that any specific complaints would be addressed promptly through the appropriate mechanisms.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and efficiency in executing development projects nationwide.
Replying to another question, he said the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) did not allot plots to federal employees who have already received plots from federal institutions such as the CDA or any other federal entity.
However, he clarified that if a federal employee has been allotted a plot by a provincial authority, no centralized record exists with FGEHA, which might lead to possible duplication in such cases.
He assured the House that within the federal system, no duplication occurs due to proper record-keeping and verification procedures, while highlighting the need for improved coordination with provincial authorities to address such gaps.