The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has declined to absorb employees of the Public Works Department (PWD), prompting criticism from lawmakers during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Nasir Butt, was attended by Federal Minister for Housing Riaz Hussain Pirzada, the housing secretary and other officials.
During the session, the committee held a detailed discussion on the issue of adjusting PWD employees in various government institutions following the department’s restructuring.
Officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs informed the committee that their department was unable to accommodate PWD employees, saying it could not include them within its organizational structure.
Federal Minister for Housing Riaz Hussain Pirzada expressed displeasure over the response, stating that the ministry could not ignore directives issued by the prime minister. He criticized the ministry’s stance, remarking that it facilitates free Hajj for its own staff but was refusing to absorb employees from another department.
Committee chairman Senator Nasir Butt also reacted strongly, warning that if the ministry did not accept the PWD employees, the facility of free Hajj for its staff could be halted. He added that the matter would be raised before the prime minister if the employees were not accommodated.
During the meeting, officials of the Intelligence Bureau assured the committee that salaries of the affected employees would be paid before Eid. The deputy director general of the agency informed the panel that the summary regarding the employees had already been approved by the director general.
Senator Nasir Butt appreciated the steps taken by the Intelligence Bureau and urged other institutions to follow the same approach in dealing with the employees.
Officials from the Federal Investigation Agency also briefed the committee, expressing confidence that the issue of PWD employees would be resolved soon.
The committee was further informed that the Federal Board of Revenue and the Cabinet Division had already addressed the concerns of the employees, while efforts were underway to ensure payment of salaries before Eid.
Federal Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada praised Senator Nasir Butt for his efforts to facilitate the adjustment of PWD employees in different government departments.