ISLAMABAD: The Naya Pakistan Housing Programme has been expanded up to 19 cities to fulfil the housing needs of the poor segments of society.
“It has been decided to include two more cities from South Punjab namely Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan) and Muzaffargarh in the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme following which the number of total cities under this programme would be 19,” an official source in the Ministry of Housing and Works told APP on Tuesday.
He said that this programme was launched in seven districts including Sukkur, Quetta, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, Swat, Islamabad, Faisalabad initially but it was further expanded to ten more cities including Lahore, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Vehari, Kasur, Sialkot, Jhelum and Gujranwala.
“Now it has been decided to include to DG Khan and Muzaffargarh in the programme as well,” he informed.
He said that the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) started accepting forms from citizens applying for a house under the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme for seven districts announced in the initial phase from October 22. “For the remaining 12 cites, the process of submitting registration forms will begin from January 2019,” he added.
It is worth mentioning here that five million houses would be constructed under this scheme and that the Federal Housing Task Force (FATF) and government of Punjab have completed all initial preparations for the project.
“The scheme’s pilot project in various cities is currently underway and in addition to an economic boom in the country, the public would benefit greatly from it as well,” the source maintained.
Regarding the setting up of Naya Pakistan Housing Authority (NPHA), the source said that the government would complete all requirements to set up an apex body until the end of 2018.
This authority will create a one-window facility to facilitate and regulate the private sector while the prime minister (PM) will oversee the operations of the proposed authority himself. However, a 17-member task force will look after the project’s affairs until the proposed authority starts working formally.
“Every requirement, whether legislation or registration within the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), will be completed before the end of 2018,” the source further informed.
“A land bank will be set up until the end of 2018 as suitable land sites are available with the federal and provincial governments, local bodies and private sectors,” he added.
He said that the government would facilitate the project with regard to the provision of land and the data bank of potential beneficiaries of the project will be developed with the help of NADRA.
“Applicants would be asked basic information like where they want to live and how much money they can pay per month in return for obtaining the house on loan,” he explained.
According to NADRA’s website, candidates can submit forms until December 21 and the centres where forms can be submitted will be open all week including Saturday and Sunday.