Islamabad: The plans to convert the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) into an authority may soon be up for approval, a news source reported. A recent meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing & Works reviewed the FGEHF Authority Bill 2019 in detail.
Federal Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema elaborated that under this bill, the FGEHF would become an authority. He added that this measure was aimed at ensuring that the projects undertaken under the foundation reach their completion stage. The minister added that FGEHF as an authority would also be able to resolve the housing crisis faced by government employees. He revealed that the foundation has plans to construct around 25,000 houses for government employees in Islamabad.
Some senators suggested that the FGEHF authority under deliberation must have a governing body, similar to the administrative structure in place for the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). To add to the discussion, Cheema said that the FGEHF authority would come equipped with a budget committee and a human resources committee.
Another senator suggested that the housing minister should head the board of the authority. The meeting’s participants, furthermore, discussed several other matters concerning the bill.
Cheema informed the senators that FGEHF officials had copied the rules set in place by the DHA, so the powers possessed by the body would remain unchanged. He asked the committee to quicken the bill’s approval process, so that the foundation may commence with its work operations.
Further, the committee has decided to hold a special meeting to review the bill in three day. In this session, Cheema is also expected to give a briefing regarding the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme (NPHP).
