START of the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s flagship programme for construction of five million houses in the country under ‘Naya Pakistan Housing’ got underway on Wednesday with the Prime Minister officially laying foundation stone for construction of 20,000 housing units at a cost of Rs 100 billion. The houses are being constructed for low income groups and salaried people in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Quetta. Among the projects being initiated, six pertain to the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA), whereas one would be executed by the Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF).
This is, indeed, first practical move towards fulfilment of the Prime Minister’s commitment to providing shelter to shelterless people and construction of twenty thousand units on affordable rates would help realize dream of those who aspire to have a house of their own. Apart from meeting the growing demand for houses, the project would also go a long way in promoting economic activities in the country. As pointed out by Imran Khan, Naya Pakistan Housing Authority will not only provide housing to federal employees but will also, at the same time, strengthen the various industries associated with it, thereby creating employment opportunities for the youth. It is, however, to be noted that presently the projects under Naya Pakistan Programme are being initiated by the public sector entities and they are mainly meant for federal government employees. No doubt, FG employees too are part of the society but every Pakistani should have access to such programmes and already millions of people have registered themselves as prospective buyers of houses under Naya Pakistan Programme and, therefore, the process should be accelerated to meet their expectations as well. Construction sector in Pakistan is vibrant and some of the names are so prestigious that they have established entire new cities and towns across Pakistan providing quality housing and facilities to the citizens. They should be provided necessary incentives and the roadblocks created by the Government itself in the way of promotion of this sector should be removed. If the houses are meant for the poor and the low and lower middle income groups then it is apprehended that they would not be able to benefit fully from the scheme because of income constraints and high interest rate that they are unlikely to afford if they get loans for the purpose. The Prime Minister has hinted at reduction in the interest rate which should come to one digit to provide relief to the people and boost economic activities.
