ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (ABC): The Estate Office has digitized 28,116 government accommodation allotment files across Islamabad and four other major cities. The initiative aims to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability in the allotment of government residences.
According to an official document available with Wealth Pakistan, the Estate Office has digitized all 17,496 allotment files in Islamabad. Meanwhile, its offices in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar have digitized 10,620 files out of a total of 11,014.
The digitization initiative forms part of broader administrative reforms to improve government accommodation management. These measures also aim to ensure merit-based allotments and reduce manual intervention in the application process.
Estate Office introduces automated allotment system
The Estate Office has developed and operationalized a web-based automated allotment system to streamline the allocation of government residences. The system offers online General Waiting List (GWL) registration, automated seniority calculations, SMS alerts and application tracking.
Under the new system, federal government employees can register for accommodation and track their applications online. As a result, applicants no longer need to visit Estate Office facilities repeatedly to check their allotment status.
Moreover, the department has stopped accepting manual applications, shifting the process to the online platform. The automated system aims to improve transparency by reducing manual intervention in registration, seniority calculations and allotment procedures.
The reforms also seek to make government accommodation services more accessible to eligible employees. Digital records and automated processing can help officials manage applications more efficiently while maintaining accurate allotment information.
Islamabad records 894 merit-based house allotments
The official document reveals that the Estate Office allotted 894 government residences in Islamabad through the General Waiting List system. These allotments took place between July 2025 and June 2026.
According to the document, the department made these allotments on merit through the GWL system. The automated waiting list forms a key part of the government’s efforts to improve fairness in accommodation allocation.
Meanwhile, the Estate Office has taken action against the illegal occupation of government residences. Following a survey initiated at the direction of the Federal Cabinet, authorities cancelled the allotments of 2,200 houses previously occupied illegally.
Subsequently, the department allotted these residences to eligible government employees from the General Waiting List. The measure forms part of efforts to ensure that government accommodation reaches employees entitled to receive it.
Government ends interstation accommodation transfer policy
The document also highlights a policy change affecting government employees seeking accommodation in Islamabad.
On June 7, 2024, the Ministry of Housing and Works withdrew the policy allowing employees to transfer their accommodation allotments from other stations to Islamabad.
The withdrawal ended the previous arrangement under which government employees could seek such transfers between stations.
E-Office system becomes fully operational
In another development, the Estate Office has made its e-Office system fully operational across all its stations. Consequently, officials now process files electronically without manual handling.
The system supports the department’s transition towards digital administration and paperless file processing. It also complements the automated allotment platform and the digitization of accommodation records.
Together, these reforms represent a significant shift towards digital management of government accommodation. The Estate Office aims to strengthen transparency, improve administrative efficiency and support merit-based allotments for federal government employees.
