Green Enclave-I given 18 months to end years of delay

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works has ordered the completion of the long delayed Green Enclave I housing project within 18 months after expressing serious concern over years of delay, rising costs and hardships faced by allottees.

The committee, chaired by Senator Nasir Mehmood, questioned the performance of the joint venture partner working with the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority and asked why the project had remained incomplete for so long.

The committee was informed that an inquiry into Green Enclave I by the National Accountability Bureau had been quashed after clearance from the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2018. Despite that development, construction of the project remained stalled for several years.

Members expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay and the difficulties faced by people waiting for their homes. The committee unanimously resolved to protect the legitimate rights of the affected allottees.

The chairman questioned whether the FGEHA joint venture partner had met its contractual responsibilities. The committee also noted that FGEHA had not used any penalty clause despite the long delay by the joint venture partner.

The committee was told that although the land had already been transferred to FGEHA, development and construction work remained stalled.

A third party assessment of the construction was conducted by a consultant. According to the briefing, the amount released so far equaled around 52 percent of the work completed.

FGEHA told the committee that negotiations with the joint venture partner had been completed and that approval from the FGEHA Board was awaited regarding the increase in project cost.

The joint venture partner assured the committee that Green Enclave I would be completed within the next 18 months.

Following assurances from the Secretary Housing and the joint venture partner, Senator Nasir Mehmood directed that the project must be completed within 18 months.

The chairman also said the committee would visit the project site every three months to monitor progress and directed that the newly approved agreement with the joint venture partner be submitted to the committee.

The committee also reviewed the issue of land linked to the wider Green Enclave and Sky Gardens developments, including questions over Shamilaat and forest land.

However, the committee’s Green Enclave I discussion mainly focused on the years of delay, increasing costs and the problems faced by allottees.

The committee reiterated that the rights of affected people must be protected and that FGEHA housing schemes should be developed according to the law and judicial directions.