The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on House and Library, presided over by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, expressed significant concern on Tuesday regarding the sluggish progress of development projects and the apparent security deficiencies at Parliament Lodges.
An update was provided to the Committee about the construction of 104 additional family suites and 400 servant quarters. Members emphasized the urgent need for expanded parking facilities and prompt completion of these projects to resolve the ongoing challenges faced by the legislators.
Security issues took center stage during the session, as it was revealed that merely 30 out of 40 CCTV cameras at Parliament Lodges and the MNAs’ Hostel are operational. The Committee instructed the installation of more surveillance cameras and pressed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to reactivate the non-functional cameras within a three-month timeframe.
The Committee also highlighted the inadequate security, noting that only six Islamabad Police officers are stationed at the Lodges. Members called for enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of both residents and the premises.
Persistent maintenance problems, such as seepage, termite infestations, and structural flaws, were brought to attention. The Committee suggested immediate corrective actions to enhance the living conditions.
The meeting saw the participation of MNAs Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani, Muhammad Moin Aamer Pirzada, Aliyah Kamran, alongside the Chairman of the CDA, senior officials from the CDA, representatives from Islamabad Police, and officials from the Ministry of Finance.