Islamabad: Committee formed to vacate 400 illegally occupied houses

[Naveed Yaseen]

Asim Yasin
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday formed a committee to pursue vacation of more than 400 housing units in Islamabad, which are being occupied by unauthorised occupants.

The prime minister direction’s to form the committee came while chairing a high-level meeting on the working of the Ministry of Housing and Works during his visit to the ministry.

The committee comprises headed by the federal minister for Housing and Works with advisor to PM on Interior, chief commissioner Islamabad, IG Islamabad and CDA chairman, as its members. The prime minister that the government is aware of the housing needs of the people and is particularly focusing on the provision of housing facility to the low-income groups in all parts of the country.

He said the ministry should focus on reducing gap between the supply and demand of housing units. He said that housing development would also revitalize economic activity in the country, as 40 industries are believed to be directly linked with this sector.

The prime minister directed for a coordinated effort by the concerned ministries, CDA as well as provincial governments for creating Land Bank for the Prime Minister’s Housing Programme as well as for launching housing programme in their areas of jurisdiction.

He also directed the concerned ministries for the provision of trunk infrastructure by the controlling Ministries at the boundaries of housing projects to facilitate low income group under Prime Minister’s Housing Programme.

The Prime Minister gave approval for enhancing the existing revolving fund of the Housing Ministry. He directed for close liaison and cooperation between CDA, FGEHF and PHA.

The Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Housing to encourage joint venture projects with private sector as well as multinational companies.

He directed CDA to issue NoC for the construction of high-rise apartments in sector G-13, Islamabad.

In his presentation, the Minister for Housing and Works, Rahmatullah Kakar apprised the prime minister that the country is facing a shortfall of 7.9 million houses in the country, while steps are being taken for realizing the government’s vision of constructing one million housing units in the country.

Parliamentary Secretary for Housing, Mr. Muzaffar ul Mulk, Secretary Housing, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, DG PWD, MD PHA, Estate Officer and representatives of CDA also attended the meeting.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=173931