ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has recommended legislation to establish a Federal Government Real Estate Management Authority (FGREMA), citing concerns over widespread encroachments and the underutilization of government-owned properties.
The committee, chaired by Malik Ibrar Ahmad, unanimously approved the proposed bill without amendments and recommended its passage by the National Assembly. Members emphasized the need for better management of state-owned assets to maximize their economic value.
Speaking during the meeting, Malik Ibrar Ahmad highlighted the issue of illegal occupation of government land. He noted that several public properties had been encroached upon, including railway land that was later recovered following the intervention of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways.
He observed that many government-owned properties have significantly increased in value due to urban development and commercial expansion. However, he said most public institutions have failed to manage these assets effectively, resulting in lost economic opportunities. He expressed strong support for the establishment of a dedicated real estate authority.
Briefing the committee, the Cabinet Secretary stated that the federal government owns extensive commercial, urban, and rural properties across Pakistan. These assets include land and buildings managed by various ministries, divisions, and subordinate organizations.
Despite repeated directives from the government, many of these properties are not being utilized in a financially productive manner and remain vulnerable to encroachments and illegal occupation, he said.
The secretary further explained that previous efforts to generate better returns from government real estate had not produced the desired results. Real estate management is a specialized field, he noted, and no existing government body possesses the exclusive mandate or expertise required to manage these assets efficiently and profitably.
Under the proposed legislation, the Federal Government Real Estate Management Authority would be responsible for owning, managing, leasing, and overseeing federal government properties, subject to approval by the federal government.
Archival Material Bill Amended
The committee also reviewed the Archival Material (Preservation and Export Control) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and recommended its approval with one amendment.
Members agreed to replace the phrase “Secretary of the concerned Division” with “The Prime Minister” in Section 2(a) of the bill. The committee maintained that the authority to establish an advisory committee responsible for decisions regarding the preservation of archival materials should rest with the prime minister.
In addition, the committee unanimously recommended the Abandoned Properties (Management) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for passage by the National Assembly without any amendments.
The Cabinet Secretary stated that these legislative changes are intended to streamline governance, enhance administrative efficiency, and allow the federal cabinet to focus more effectively on national policy and strategic decision-making.
He added that the Cabinet Division had conducted a comprehensive review of relevant laws and prepared the proposed amendments to delegate powers to appropriate authorities.
According to the secretary, the reforms were initiated following a federal cabinet decision taken in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Mustafa Impex, Karachi v. Government of Pakistan case.
