A Senate sub-committee directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on August 24 to submit a summary to the Prime Minister’s Office to resolve longstanding issues concerning residential plot allocations for journalists and media workers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, chaired by Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, reviewed the eligibility criteria and allocation process for 85 plots under Phase-II of the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) scheme. One per cent of the plots is reserved for journalists, compared with two per cent in Phase-I.

Applicants must have at least 20 years of professional experience, work in Islamabad or Rawalpindi, and be associated with a newspaper listed on the Central Media List for at least three years. Their spouses must not have previously received a plot in either city.

Media representatives raised concerns over alleged irregularities in previous schemes.

The committee was also informed that 35 applicants had pending complaints with the Wafaqi Mohtasib since 2004. Senator Mehdi directed the ministry to prioritise their cases, while the FGEHA director-general agreed to take up the matter with relevant authorities.

The eligibility of employees from the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and Pakistan Television (PTV) was also discussed, with officials noting that APP employees were members of the Islamabad Press Club, whereas PTV employees were not.

The sub-committee will review progress after one month and has sought an updated report from the Plot Selection Committee for Journalists, within 15 days.

Senators Jan Muhammad and Abdul Shakoor Khan, along with representatives from the Parliamentary Reporters Association of Pakistan, National Press Club, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and other media organisations, attended the meeting.