ISLAMABAD:
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has expressed its inability to accept the transfer of the remaining staff of the Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak-PWD), it was revealed on Wednesday.
The Senate Standing Committee on Housing discussed the issue of merging Public Works Department (PWD) employees into various government institutions, with the ministry receiving sharp criticism for expressing inability to absorb the staff.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Nasir Butt, was attended by Federal Housing Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and the Housing Secretary. Officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs told the committee that they could not take PWD employees into their ministry.
The attitude generated a strong reaction from the housing minister, who accused the ministry’s officials that they could not go against the prime minister’s order. “The Ministry of Religious Affairs arranges free Hajj for its own employees but refuses to take other employees,” Pirzada said.
Senator Butt also warned that if the ministry did not accept PWD employees, the committee would seek to end the free Hajj facility currently offered to ministry staff. He added that if the employees were not adjusted, he would raise the matter with the Prime Minister.
The FIA Deputy Director General informed the committee that the issue of PWD employees would be resolved soon. Senator Butt noted that the FBR and the Cabinet Department had already addressed this issue.
The chairman said that efforts are being made to ensure that the employees get their salaries before Eid. Pirzada also appreciated the role played by Senator Butt and termed his efforts regarding the alignment of PWD employees commendable.
