No plan to sell Roosevelt Hotel in New York: NA body told

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs on Monday was apprised that  Aviation Division had no plan to sell the Rossevelt Hotel in New York (USA).

The Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs met with Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal in the Chair and discussed the proposed agenda.

Briefing the NA panel, the Acting Chairman, Pakistan International Airline (PIA) said the Roosevelt Hotel generated total $ 96.450 million during 2016 its profit remained at $ 1.540 million.

He further informed that experts / professionals have given proposal to give Roosevelt Hotel on lease for the period of 30 to 40 years to earn more profit.

The Committee showed annoyance over the proposal and strongly recommended that Roosevelt Hotel should not be given on lease at any cost.

The Committee also decided to invite CEO, PIA to brief the Committee about the suspension / cancellation of flights / routes to New York, USA.

Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs briefed the Committee regarding the comprehensive report/implementation status of the previous recommendations of the Committee.

He informed that Ministry had made compliance on the directions of the Committee and also sent letters to the concerned department for implementation on the direction of the Committee.

The Committee considered “The Elections (Amendment) Act, 2017” moved by Ms. Naeema Kishwer Khan, MNA. After detailed deliberation on the Bill the Committee directed Ministry to provide more details in the next meeting.

Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs also briefed the Committee about the status of encashment of PIA tickets to the Parliamentarian. After discussion Committee directed that Rs3 lac (without any deduction) should be given to the parliamentarians instead of vouchers and also recommended that number of tickets should be increased from 20 to 30.

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Works briefed the Committee on the budget and maintenance of government rest houses.

He informed that at present Ministry of Housing and Works / Pak. PWD was not maintaining any rest house. He also provided detail of Lodges, Hostel and Family Suites working under the Ministry of Housing and Works. The Committee directed Ministry of Housing and Works to provide detail of officers residing in Lodges, Hostel and Family Suites in Islamabad in the next meeting.

MNAs Malik Ihtebar Khan, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Jatt, Mian Tariq Mehmood, Ch. Salman Haneef Khan, Ms. Arifa Khalid Parvez, Dr. Shazia Sobia, Ms. Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak and Ms. Naeema Kishwer Khan attended the meeting. The meeting was also attended by senior officers of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Law & Justice, Housing and Works, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Pakistan International Airline (PIA).