News Desk
Islamabad: Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lt. Gen. (R) Nazir Ahmed, called on the Federal Minister for Housing & Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada at the Ministry of Housing & Works, Islamabad.
The Federal Minister warmly welcomed the Chairman and appreciated NAB’s role as the country’s apex anti-corruption institution. He commended NAB’s efforts in promoting transparency across state institutions and ensuring accountability. While discussing the Ministry’s affairs, the Minister noted that certain decisions taken in previous administrations had resulted in significant financial losses to government assets and properties, emphasizing the need for corrective measures.
The Minister further stressed the importance of transforming the Ministry and its affiliated institutions into sustainable, revenue-generating entities through modern and efficient land utilization practices. He advocated revisiting and updating outdated modes of asset management in line with contemporary standards, including repurposing underutilized buildings for productive use.
During the meeting, Chairman NAB discussed various proposals aimed at optimizing the utilization of the Ministry’s valuable assets for housing development across different cities in Pakistan. He highlighted the importance of adopting successful international housing models and suggested initiating pilot projects in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), which could later be replicated nationwide. He underscored the need for transparent and fair policies regarding government assets and assured NAB’s full support in the Ministry’s efforts to prevent maladministration and corruption in such projects.
Federal Secretary Housing & Works, Capt. (R) Muhammad Mehmood, briefed the participants on the status of estate properties in Karachi. He informed that over 3,000 residential units, spread across approximately 512 acres of land, are currently under the jurisdiction of the Estate Office, an attached department of the Ministry of Housing and Works. Many of these properties are affected by legal disputes, unauthorized occupations, and entitlement issues, resulting in substantial losses to the national exchequer.
The Secretary emphasized that these challenges could be effectively addressed through a comprehensive and revitalized policy framework, supported by strong institutional coordination, including NAB and the judiciary.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to enhancing transparency, improving governance, and ensuring the optimal use of public assets for the benefit of the nation.
