Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that promoting the construction sector and providing houses to the poor segments of society is a national service.
He was chairing weekly meeting of National Coordination Committee on Housing and Construction in Islamabad on Thursday.
The prime minister directed to further accelerate the awareness campaign regarding the easy loans being provided by the banks for construction of houses.
Imran Khan said it is the first time in the country s history that the commercial banks are extending loans to the poor for construction of houses.
Governor State Bank of Pakistan Reza Baqir informed the meeting that the commercial banks through their 7,700 branches across the country have started providing loans to the people for construction of houses.
It was informed that the commercial banks have started receiving loan applications in big numbers.
State Bank of Pakistan has launched a complaint portal to address the public complaints.
The Vice Chairman Lahore Development Authority informed the meeting, a total of thirty five thousand units will be established in LDA city and a major portion will be given to the poor and middle class.
In the initial phase, four thousand units will be constructed. The project will be completed by June 2022 Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed for promoting
small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to improve the economic indicators which are already on positive trajectory. He was chairing a meeting of National Coordination Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises in Islamabad on Thursday.
The Prime Minister directed to achieve at the earliest the targets set for the promotion of SMEs. Imran Khan said the SMEs are an important component of economy and their promotion will strengthen economy and create job opportunities.
The meeting was informed that the database of the SMEs is being updated on priority basis in order to extend timely facilities to them. The tax form of the SMEs is being simplified for them. The meeting was informed that the process of consultations with all the stakeholders is underway to extend financial assistance to the small and medium enterprises. In this regard SMEs fund will also be created.
The meeting was informed that Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) is being restructured to further enhance its capacity. Meanwhile, Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail Thursday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and apprised him of Covid -19 situation in Sindh province besides Green Line and Red Line projects.
As per details, the Sindh governor also invited the prime minister to visit the province which he accepted, a PM Office press release said. On the other hand, a delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss matters of mutual interest. The delegation and PM Imran Khan discussed in detail the political situation of the country and upcoming Senate elections.
MQM-P assured full support to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in elections of the upper house of the parliament.
