In an unexpected turn of events, the Pakistan Religious Affairs Ministry has reiterated its refusal to accommodate remaining Public Works Department (PWD) staff members. This stance came under sharp scrutiny during a Senate Standing Committee on Housing meeting chaired by Senator Nasir Butt.
The Federal Minister for Housing, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, and the housing secretary were present at the meeting. Officials from the Religious Affairs Ministry informed the committee that they could not integrate PWD employees into their ministry’s ambit. The minister’s office issued a scathing response to this decision, emphasizing it went against Prime Minister’s directives.
Senator Butt, keenly observing these developments, expressed strong disapproval, asserting the refusal to accept staff as a blatant disregard for the prime minister’s orders. He pointed out that while the Ministry of Religious Affairs arranges free Hajj exclusively for its own personnel, it has now refused to take in those from other departments, particularly PWD.
Senator Butt’s reprimand was met with a swift rebuttal by Pirzada, who argued that such a decision undermined not only the prime minister’s instructions but also placed undue pressure on other ministries. He emphasized the importance of ensuring staff receive their salaries before Eid and commended Senator Nasir Butt for his proactive efforts in addressing the issue.
Senator Butt further cautioned that if unresolved, he would bring the matter to the attention of the Prime Minister himself. To mitigate this concern, Deputy Director General at Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed the committee that a resolution was imminent. Notably, FBR and Cabinet Division had already addressed similar issues without complications, illustrating their commitment to addressing such matters swiftly.
Senator Butt’s stance has sparked renewed efforts among different government departments towards resolving the issue. His commendable advocacy for employee adjustment highlights the urgency of finding solutions that respect both governmental mandates and professional duties.