Senate panel demands probe into delayed jail construction, orders inclusion of women’s barracks, child welfare facilities

ISLAMABAD, Jul 14 (APP): The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, chaired by Senator Nasir Mehmood, on Tuesday conducted an official oversight visit to review the under-construction Islamabad Model Jail located in Sector H-16.

The visit included a comprehensive briefing by Asmat Shrif, Member Building of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), on the master plan and physical progress of the project, which spans Ninety acres of land.

The Committee expressed severe reservations regarding the project’s prolonged delays, noting that construction originally commenced on May 8, 2017, and was now projected to reach completion by July 31, at an escalated cost of PKR 7,399.12 million.

A major point of contention arose when Committee Member Senator Naseema Ehsan strongly highlighted the complete omission of dedicated women’s barracks, essential infant care facilities, and schooling for the children of female inmates in the original plans. While the Committee was informed that women’s facilities were relegated to a future “Phase 2” because they were not initially included, the members expressed profound concern and rejected this exclusion, demanding immediate integration of humanitarian and human rights provisions for women and their infants.

In response to these findings, the Committee directed the CDA to submit a detailed, comprehensive inquiry report explaining why the CDA administration abruptly halted construction works back in 2018. Furthermore, to closely monitor progress and prevent further delays, the Committee directed the CDA management to submit a weekly progress report on active work in process.

Senators Husna Bano, Khalida Ateeb, Hadiyat Ullah khan, Muhammad Aslam Abro, Abdul Shakor Khan, Jan Muhammad and Naseema Ehsan, along with senior senior officials of CDA were also present on the occasion.