Construction of 500,000 low-income group houses start next month

[Salman]

The government would start construction work of about 500,000 houses for low-income group people next month.

An official of Ministry of Housing said, “About 500,000 houses would be constructed for low-income people on loan and the government would bear eight percent mark-up while instalments would be equal to a five-marla house rent.”

He said five pilot projects for providing houses to people had been started in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta with the help of public-private partnership. He said that the government was giving top priority to solving the housing problem in the country by ensuring affordable and cost-effective housing units to the ordinary citizens. He said the prime minister has assured the ministry of housing for provision of funds for the construction of quality houses equipped with all basic facilities.

To another question, he said, 19,000 applications by government employees were pending for the allotment of home in the federal capital.

“I assure that the government will observe merit and no government employees would be allotted accommodation out of turn and if anyone is found guilty, he would be punished,” he added. He said the government had decided not to use special quota allocated to the prime minister and housing minister.

To a question, he said two percent quota has been allocated each to journalists, media workers and disable persons. He said the government had decided to take strict action against illegal occupants. “Proposal is under consideration to make special force in the ministry of housing for the vacation houses from illegal occupants,” he added.

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/02/...ext-month/