Lawmakers Flag Safety Risks at Parliament Lodges
News Desk
Islamabad: Serious security lapses and inadequate basic facilities at Parliament Lodges have raised concerns over the safety of lawmakers, with non-functional CCTV cameras, weak surveillance systems, insufficient fire safety arrangements and malfunctioning lifts among the major issues highlighted during a parliamentary committee meeting.
The concerns were raised during a meeting of the National Assembly’s House and Library Committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah at Parliament House on Wednesday.
Committee members expressed serious concern over the absence of dengue fumigation, inadequate security monitoring and the failure of essential safety systems at Parliament Lodges, where members of the National Assembly and their families reside.
The non-functional CCTV cameras and inadequate surveillance arrangements have raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures at a facility housing elected representatives. The lack of sufficient fire safety arrangements has also highlighted potential risks to the lives of residents in an emergency.
Members further pointed out that malfunctioning lifts could create additional difficulties during emergencies, while the shortage of essential medicines and medical equipment at the Lodges’ dispensary could affect timely medical assistance.
Taking serious notice of the situation, Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah directed the relevant authorities to take immediate corrective measures and ensure that basic facilities and security arrangements are improved without further delay.
He directed the Ministry of Interior to strengthen security arrangements at Parliament Lodges, while the Ministry of Health was instructed to ensure the availability of essential medicines, medical equipment and emergency healthcare facilities at the dispensary.
The Deputy Speaker also directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to immediately restore all non-functional CCTV cameras, improve surveillance monitoring and address deficiencies in the overall security system.
CDA officials assured the committee that concerns raised by lawmakers would be addressed on a priority basis.
The committee also reviewed progress on the construction of 104 additional family suites adjacent to Parliament Lodges. The Deputy Speaker directed the concerned authorities to accelerate construction and ensure timely completion of the project.
CDA officials briefed the committee on the development work and assured members that all necessary measures would be taken to complete the additional family suites at the earliest.
Members of the National Assembly Nabeel Ahmed Gabol, Aalia Kamran, Tahira Aurangzeb, Shaista Pervez and Syeda Amna Batool attended the meeting, along with senior officials from the National Assembly Secretariat, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health and CDA.
The concerns have brought the security and safety of Parliament Lodges into focus, particularly the need for functional surveillance systems, adequate fire protection and emergency healthcare facilities at a residential complex housing lawmakers and their families.
