ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Works expressed concerns about winding up of the Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak PWD).

The panel held its meeting under committee chairman Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri here at Parliament House to review the working and performance of the Ministry of Housing & Works and its attached departments. The Ministry of Housing and Works secretary provided a comprehensive briefing on the working, functions, and performance of the ministry and its attached departments. He outlined the core functions and operational structure, budget allocation of the ministry and its attached departments for Financial Year 2024-25. The allotment of federal government accommodations by the estate office, as well as the winding up of Pak PWD in the light of the cabinet decision dated July 2024, also came under discussion. The committee urged the government to reconsider dissolving the Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak PWD) due to potential negative impact on public infrastructure projects, government services, employees/ the workforce involved in PWD. The committee said that instead of winding up PWD, a more strategic approach to reform or restructuring would be more beneficial in terms of efficiency, accountability, and public service. The committee unanimously agreed to hold next meeting on the issue of Pak PWD.