Housing Ministry moves to digitalise government accommodation records as thousands of notices are issued over outstanding rents across Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD: The government is moving towards a digital system for managing government accommodation, with outstanding rent payments to be recovered directly from the accounts of concerned officials under applicable rules.
The development was discussed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, where officials reviewed government accommodation, recovery of unpaid rents and progress on federal housing projects.
The Housing Secretary informed the committee that Pakistan has approximately 37,000 government houses. Authorities are working to strengthen rent recovery and ensure that payments for government accommodation are made on time.
During the previous two months, between 8,000 and 10,000 notices were issued to occupants over outstanding rent. Some cases involved substantial arrears.
Under the planned digitalised system, outstanding amounts will in future be deducted directly from the accounts of relevant officials, subject to the applicable rules.
Housing projects and Islamabad schemes reviewed
The committee also examined administrative and legal issues surrounding delayed housing projects being implemented by the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority and the Pakistan Housing Authority.
Housing-related matters involving F-14, F-15 and Bara Kahu in Islamabad were also discussed, particularly the housing quota for journalists and media workers.
A proposal was put forward to restore the 2% quota for journalists in housing schemes. The committee supported the proposal and the Housing Secretary said the matter was being processed.
Officials also informed the committee that residential plots were available for eligible journalists and media workers.
Around 2,200 applications have reportedly been received, while 237 plots have been allocated so far. A verification mechanism has also been established to scrutinise applicants.
The committee further discussed the pending case of 37 journalists in G-14, which has remained unresolved since 2004.
The committee chairman directed that the G-14 matter be taken up with the relevant forum and expressed support for resolving the long-pending housing issue.
The move towards digital rent recovery is expected to strengthen the management of government accommodation, improve collection of outstanding dues and reduce delays in recovering government revenue.
