Khawaja Asif shares Parliament Lodges photos and criticises CDA upkeep
Defence minister says conditions have worsened despite repeated efforts, as official records show longstanding maintenance complaints, funding disputes and delays in building 104 additional family suites.
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has criticised the Capital Development Authority over the deteriorating condition of Parliament Lodges, sharing photographs of the residential complex and questioning how the authority serves ordinary Islamabad residents when even lawmakers struggle to secure proper upkeep of their accommodation.
In a post on X, Asif said he had lived at the complex since 2002 and that its condition was worsening despite repeated efforts and the influence available to its residents.
He described the premises as accommodation for the elected representatives of Pakistan’s 250 million people and said the CDA was responsible for its management. The photographs accompanying the post showed weathered exterior surfaces, stained walls and worn balcony finishes.
Asif stressed that the images showed only the outside of the buildings, while also raising concerns about conditions inside. He argued that the state of lawmakers’ residences offered grounds to question the authority’s attention to the rest of Islamabad.
His criticism comes against a documented history of parliamentary complaints about repairs, lifts, sanitation, security equipment and the pace of construction of additional accommodation.
A Residential Complex Serving Both Houses
Parliament Lodges provides residential accommodation for members of the National Assembly and Senate during their work in the federal capital. It is separate from the MNA Hostel, which is another accommodation facility.
Although Asif estimated that the complex contained around 300 two-bedroom flats, the CDA’s published description of its responsibilities lists 362 parliamentarian residences at Parliament Lodges. The same directorate also looks after 46 family suites at the MNA Hostel and 114 servant quarters.
The complex developed in phases. A March 2003 report recorded 220 units completed by 1997, followed by another 142 lodges.
The existing accommodation must also be distinguished from the separate project for 104 additional family suites, which has remained under parliamentary scrutiny because of prolonged delays.
What CDA Is Responsible For
The CDA’s Engineering Wing identifies its Parliament Lodges and Hostels Directorate as responsible for repairs and maintenance of the residential facilities. Its role therefore extends beyond responding to complaints about exterior paintwork to maintaining the accommodation under its charge.
The authority also undertakes procurement for individual suites. Published CDA tender notices include repair and maintenance work at Parliament Lodges, demonstrating that rehabilitation is carried out through formally advertised contracts as well as departmental arrangements.
However, the complex does not operate under CDA oversight alone. The National Assembly’s House and Library Committee, chaired by the deputy speaker, supervises accommodation-related facilities, catering and other amenities provided to members. Its functions also include residential matters referred by the speaker. The Senate’s House Committee separately scrutinises accommodation and services affecting senators.
This distinction places maintenance implementation with the relevant departments while parliamentary committees examine performance, expenditure and residents’ complaints.
Recent Complaints Go Beyond Appearances
At an October 28, 2026 meeting, the National Assembly’s House and Library Committee raised concerns about malfunctioning lifts, non-functional CCTV cameras, inadequate surveillance, insufficient fire safety arrangements and the absence of dengue fumigation.
Members also highlighted shortages of essential medicines and emergency medical equipment at the complex’s dispensary.
Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah directed CDA to restore cameras and improve monitoring. The Ministry of Interior was asked to strengthen security, while the Ministry of Health was directed to ensure medicines, equipment and emergency healthcare facilities.
CDA officials assured the committee that members’ concerns would receive priority attention. The meeting’s allocation of responsibilities shows that some services require action by ministries alongside CDA.
Funding and the Authority’s Explanation
Financial constraints have featured in CDA’s explanations for delayed work.
At a Senate House Committee meeting on August 18, 2025, the CDA chairman said outstanding federal government liabilities of Rs780 million to contractors had affected the pace and quality of work under discussion. CDA’s member finance told the committee that Rs369 million was allocated annually for repairs, maintenance, utilities and staff salaries at Parliament Lodges.
The same meeting was informed that 16 suites had been renovated and repairs to another 13 were expected within three months. CDA also reported suspending an assistant director for inefficiency, detecting utility overbilling and introducing biometric attendance.
Questions Over Completed Repairs
On December 23, 2025, a Senate House Committee subcommittee examined repair work, outsourced cleaning and lift services, and spending at the lodges. Members questioned staffing arrangements and the condition of repaired accommodation.
The committee was told that 57 repair requests had been received during financial year 2024–25 and that 22 works had been completed. It sought detailed records of expenditure and directed that satisfaction certificates be obtained from senators whose lodges had undergone repairs.
The Long-Delayed Additional Suites
The separate project for 104 additional family suites was launched in 2011 and originally scheduled for completion in 2013, according to the National Assembly.
On October 20, 2026, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Shah inspected finishing work, furniture and furnishings at the project. The assembly described construction as being in its final stages after a prolonged period of stalled progress.
Eight days later, the House and Library Committee again directed officials to expedite completion.
His intervention places renewed attention on whether earlier commitments have translated into functioning services and durable repairs. The relevant parliamentary record shows repeated demands for expenditure details, completion schedules and confirmation from residents that work has been satisfactorily carried out.
No CDA response specifically addressing Asif’s latest post was located in the public sources reviewed for this report. Its most recent position in the cited National Assembly proceedings was that residents’ concerns would be addressed on a priority basis.
