Islamabad (HRNW)- Federal Minister for Housing and Works Riaz Pirzada has agreed with the Interior Minister’s assessment that the system has failed, as the Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works discussed unresolved salary and pension issues involving former Public Works Department (PWD) employees.
The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Nasir Butt, examined the adjustment of former PWD employees in various government departments and complaints that some employees and families of deceased workers have not received their outstanding dues.
Committee members raised concerns over the pension issue, with Senator Khalida Ateeb describing it as highly sensitive. She said that the families of more than 100 women whose husbands died during service had reportedly not received their dues, while some adjusted employees were also facing delays in salaries and pensions.
Officials gave differing accounts regarding the status of employees. CDA and Interior Ministry officials said that 1,468 employees were receiving salaries, while the Housing Secretary said that, according to his information, salaries were being paid.
The Finance Division maintained that certain work-charge employees were not eligible for pensions. Officials also questioned the validity of a 2007 Finance Division letter that had reportedly declared the employees eligible for pensions, saying that the letter was incorrect.
The committee chairman questioned why the matter had not been submitted to the Prime Minister if a pension dispute existed. Interior Ministry officials said the Interior Minister was abroad and that a summary would be sent to the Prime Minister after his return.
The committee chairman warned that if the summary was not submitted within three days, the Interior Minister would be summoned.
The meeting also raised questions over an alleged disputed letter concerning pension eligibility. Finance officials said that if the letter had not been issued by the division, it would be considered fake, prompting the committee chairman to suggest that the matter be referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Officials further said that pension laws were being applied in accordance with Cabinet decisions and that work-charge employees were not considered regular 24-hour government employees eligible for pensions.
Housing Minister Riaz Pirzada said institutional weaknesses had contributed to the closure of government organizations and created difficulties for officials who were now required to answer for past decisions.
He said the government was not a charity and argued that many problems stemmed from weaknesses in the system. His remarks prompted objections from Senator Khalida Ateeb, who said employees who had served government institutions deserved to receive their lawful dues.
The minister later said that his ministry had repeatedly been used for political pressure and that he was now being held responsible for decisions made by previous ministers and officials.
The committee chairman emphasized the need for improvements and noted that the adjustment of PWD employees in different departments and the payment of salaries represented progress, while concerns remained over outstanding salaries and pensions.
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