ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday chaired a meeting of the task force on ‘Naya Pakistan Housing Project’ here at PM’s Office where he reviewed the progress thus far.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Asad Umar, Minister for Housing Chaudhry Tariq Bashir Cheema, Planning Minister Khusro Bakhtiar, Punjab Senior Minister Aleem Khan, Housing Secretary Imran Zeb, NADRA chairman, members of the housing task force and senior government officials.
NADRA chairman briefed the premier about the progress so far on registration process which is being undertaken for ascertaining demand and profiling of the various income groups.
It was informed that the registration survey has witnessed an overwhelming response from the public especially the low income and middle-income groups. It was informed that over 6,00,000 forms have been downloaded so far.
PM Khan was informed that NADRA has made special arrangements for collection of forms at 24 registration units. The registration process would continue for 60 days. The meeting also deliberated upon various options to facilitate the provision of required financial support to the low-income groups and thus enable them to avail the opportunity of 5 million housing project of the government.
Amjad Saqib of Akhuwwat Foundation also presented before the prime minister a plan for construction of at least one million low-cost houses following an already experienced Akhwwat model of incremental housing. The prime minister appreciated the progress made so far and directed the task force to finalise modalities and future action plan regarding the establishment of Naya Pakistan Housing Authority, detailed and multifaceted financial model catering to different income groups and the legal framework within three weeks.
The prime minister said that the response received so far both from the local investors, foreign investors and overseas Pakistanis towards the project was encouraging. He said that unfortunately the housing sector had remained one of the most neglected areas in past and no serious effort was made by the previous governments to cater to the needs of the low-income groups for the provision of shelter.
He said that 5 million housing project is the flagship project of the present government which would create huge job opportunities for the youth and would provide a boost to over 40 allied industries of the construction sector.
