Housing sector to be strengthened as per PM’s vision; says Cheema
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ISLAMABAD: Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema said the government is committed to provide shelter and homes to people under the Naya Pakistan Housing Program and the vision of prime minister would be accomplished through a comprehensive and coherent plan of action.
He said this while addressing a ceremony, held to give possession letters of constructed houses to the allottees of Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF) Officers Residencia at Kurri road Islamabad.
The PHAF, an attached department of Ministry of Housing and Works, was tasked to construct high quality housing units for retired bureaucrats of BS-17 to BS-22 at affordable prices.
This project was started in 2010 but could not be completed within the deadline.
After assuming the charge as Minister for Housing and Works, Tariq Bashir Cheema directed to complete it at earliest and it took four months to complete these housing units.
He said project for construction of five million houses would be formally launched on April 17, in Islamabad and on April 21, in Quetta.
He said it was the right of people to ask question from us about construction of five million houses.
A financial regulatory authority would be set up for it while commercial banks had already been asked to allocate five percent of amount annually for loans in the housing sector, he added.
Cheema said friendly environment would be ensured for investors while international bidding would be also made in some projects.
He said housing projects would be initiated in those areas having demand and requirement for construction of houses.
Earlier, the minister said Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA)’s officers Residencia was delayed due to the sluggish approach of authorities in past.
“We are going to construct five million houses and this project of 580 houses could not be completed timely which is really worrisome for us,” he added.
It is to mention here that this project was pending for the last ten years but the housing minister assigned the task to complete it within four months.
On the occasion, the minister also directed the PHA authorities to complete infrastructure in Residencia for electricity, gas, sewerage and other amenities.
He directed PHAF chief engineer to complete this task within three months instead of six months otherwise, he would have to face disciplinary action.
He also assured to start housing project for the policemen and to achieve the set targets through hard work and transparency into the affairs.
APP
