Projects launched to overcome housing shortage

ISLAMABAD (APP) – The government has initiated work on various long and short-term housing projects to overcome housing shortage in the country.

An official of the Ministry of Housing and Works told this news agency that soon after coming to power, the Pakistan Peoples Party government announced construction of one million houses to cope with the challenge.

He said following a short-term strategy, the government has started construction of houses, double to the target. Construction of houses is underway in many sectors in Islamabad, besides Gulshan-e-Memar, Scheme 33 and Mono Got areas of Karachi, Hayatabad in Peshawar, Federal Colony in Lahore and in area along the Chamman highway in Quetta.

He said that about 3000 kanals of land has been purchased in Bharakahu, Federal Capital, where flats and plots will be built, which will be allotted to government employees, general public and journalists. Allotment would be on no profit no loss basis. About two percent quota has been allocated for journalists and non-journalists in each of the federal schemes in the country.

He said that investors were showing interest in Pakistan’s housing sector. The government was committed to provide shelter to retiring employees as they had spent a major part of life by serving the country.

The Pakistan Housing Authority has acquired 67 acres of land at Kuri Road from the Capital Development Authority. The government officials of grade 17-22 will get houses / flats who have been retired or retiring from January 1st 2008 to December 31, 2013.

BS-22 officials will be provided houses of one kanal, whereas BS-20 houses of 14 marlas, BS-19, 10 marlas, BS-17 and 18, 5-7 marlas flats in the first phase. Those officials who could not get houses flats in first phase would be accommodated in the second phase.

Source: The Nation