ISLAMABAD:
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has expressed its inability to accept the transfer of the remaining staff of the Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak-PWD), it emerged on Wednesday.
The Senate Standing Committee on Housing debated the issue of amalgamation of Public Works Department (PWD) employees in various government institutions, with the ministry coming under heavy criticism for expressing its inability to absorb the staff.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Nasir Butt, was attended by Federal Housing Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Housing Secretary. Officials at the Ministry of Religious Affairs told the committee that they could not accept employees with disabilities in their ministry.
The stance sparked a strong reaction from the housing minister, who reprimanded ministry officials, telling them that they could not go against the prime minister’s orders. “The Ministry of Religious Affairs organizes free Hajj for its own employees, but refuses to accept other employees,” Pirzada said.
Senator Butt also warned that if the ministry did not accept employees with disabilities, the committee would seek to end the free Hajj service currently offered to ministry staff. He added that if it did not suit the employees, he would raise the matter with the prime minister.
The FIA deputy director general informed the committee that the issue of disabled employees would be resolved soon. Senator Butt noted that the FBR and the Cabinet Division had already taken up this issue.
The president said efforts are being made to ensure that employees receive their salaries before Eid. Pirzada also appreciated the role played by Senator Butt and termed his efforts regarding accommodation of employees with disabilities as commendable.
