PM reviews progress of PWD closure

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday chaired a meeting regarding winding up of the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) and its alternative arrangements.

The meeting was briefed on the plan to dissolve PWD, implementation of the ongoing projects, alternative to the PWD and outsource of the construction and repair work to the private companies.

The meeting was informed that the ongoing projects under the PWD would be completed by the relevant federal and provincial departments whereas no further project would be assigned to the PWD. The construction and repair work would be outsourced to private companies of international standard, the official news agency reported.

The prime minister directed that the interests of the PWD employees be protected during the dissolution process and that a comprehensive and practical plan be formed to ensure their welfare.

He also directed to complete the process of the closure of the PWD as soon as possible, saying that he himself would monitor the process.

He also ordered the formation of an asset management company to manage the PWD’s assets and digitise its records.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Ahsan Iqbal and Ahad Khan Cheema, as well as Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Jehanzeb Khan and other relevant officials.