The Punjab Minister for Housing was addressing the press conference held at DGPR, today in connection with housing projects being initiated in Renala Khurd (Okara), Chishtian and Lodhran. He was accompanied by Chairman Punjab Housing Taskforce Yaqoob Tahir Izhar and General Secretary Atif Ayub.
The Minister disclosed that 6,000 housing units would be constructed in three cities under first phase under which housing unit at ground floor comprising three marla would cost Rs1.75 million and housing unit at first floor would cost Rs1.6 million whereas housing unit of five marla at ground floor would cost Rs2.3 million and the unit of first floor would cost Rs2.1 million. The housing units would be allotted through balloting to the successful applicants and their possession would be handed over to the allottees within one and half year.
The Minister said that all basic amenities like school, hospital, playground and internet etc would be made available in these schemes. Overseas Pakistanis having domicile of these districts would get 5% discount in the projects. Moreover, one donors' block for families of deceased employees of police and army who sacrificed their lives for the country and their widows would be provided houses free of cost.
Mehmood-ur-Rasheed said that past governments had announced mere promises with the public for provision of Roti, Kapra aur Makan and done nothing for their welfare. Only 2000 housing units under Aashiyana Scheme were constructed by those rulers who are confined to jails on the basis of corruption. Our government would initiate all the welfare projects by observing all the rules and regulations and in a transparent manner, the Minister added.
He said that during second phase, 20,000 housing units would be established in Sialkot, Chiniot, Layyah and Faisalabad. The Minister highlighted the details of construction of 5 million housing units and said that 9 development authorities of the province have been entrusted with construction of 100,000 housing units. This task would be completed by end of June, 2019. Moreover, a pilot project is being initiated in rural areas for the poor under which 50 housing units each would be constructed in the selected villages. The government has also decided to establish 3 new cities in the province for which feasibility reports are being prepared in collaboration with private sector. The Minister informed that foreign investors have expressed their willingness in housing sector which would usher in Pakistan an era of progress and prosperity.