Islamabad, December 23, 2025: A meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate House Committee was held at the Parliament House on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Convener Senator Nasir Mahmood Butt to review a range of issues concerning the Parliament Lodges. The committee discussed in detail the ongoing repair and rehabilitation works, outsourcing of janitorial and lift services, expenditures incurred over the past two years, and the construction project of 104 new lodges for Senators.
Serious differences of opinion emerged during the meeting regarding the outsourcing of janitorial and lift services. Senator Dinesh Kumar stated that the outsourcing model has failed over the past six years, with conditions deteriorating instead of improving. He expressed concern over the absence of lift operators, particularly during night shifts, warning that malfunctioning lifts could leave Senators stranded.
The committee was informed that 29 lift operators are deployed in three shifts. However, members demanded the submission of detailed duty rosters, attendance records, and complete information regarding day and night shifts for the past year. The committee directed that staff attendance be verified through CCTV footage and ordered strict action against personnel found absent from duty.
Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi voiced strong reservations over the quality and pace of repair works at the Parliament Lodges. He said that the condition of several flats, particularly on the top floors, remains highly unsatisfactory, with roofs in a severely dilapidated state. Alleging deliberate delays in repair work involving contractors and CDA officials, he raised serious concerns about the standard of work being carried out. Highlighting the misuse of public funds, he called for third-party audits and enhanced transparency.
Convener Senator Nasir Mahmood Butt informed the committee that the construction of 104 new lodges is being carried out exclusively for Senators in line with formal directives issued by the former Chairman Senate. He noted that expenditures of up to Rs. 5 million have been recorded for some residential units, while residents claim that work of such magnitude was not undertaken. The committee sought complete details of works and expenditures for all houses, including kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and other components.
The committee was further informed that during the financial year 2024–25, a total of 57 repair requests were received, of which 22 have been completed so far. It was also disclosed that 156 employees are currently performing various duties at the Parliament Lodges. The Convener directed that action be taken against staff exhibiting poor performance and made it clear that persistent complaints regarding the Parliament Lodges would not be tolerated.
The committee directed officials from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Finance, and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to resolve funding and administrative issues through close coordination. It was also decided that satisfaction certificates would be obtained from Senators residing in lodges where repair work has been completed.
The meeting was attended by Senator Dinesh Kumar and Senator Hidayatullah Khan, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Finance, and CDA. Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi participated in the meeting online. The Convener further directed that the Chairman CDA and all relevant officers ensure their presence at the next meeting.
