ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that providing affordable housing for the low-income group is among the government’s priorities.
A review meeting regarding reforms in the housing sector was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, in which he said that in view of the growing population, reforms in the housing sector are the need of the hour.
The Prime Minister said that providing housing for the low-income group, affordable housing projects, encouraging the private sector and improving public facilities are among the government’s priorities. He said that due to the growing population and uncontrolled urban sprawl, pressure is increasing on agricultural land, for which it is necessary to adopt an appropriate strategy.
Shahbaz Sharif directed that all matters in the housing sector should be digitized and automated to promote transparency. He said that to attract foreign investors in the housing sector, it is necessary to bring this sector under the regulatory framework.
Various proposals were presented to the meeting regarding reforms in the housing sector. It was informed in the briefing that in order to bring transparency in the housing sector, the regulatory framework will be simplified to provide facilities to credible investors and developers.
In addition, it was also proposed to make registration with the SECP mandatory for those working in the housing and development sector.
The briefing also presented suggestions to formulate a strategy to stop the uncontrolled spread of cities, encourage tall buildings and vertical expansion in big cities, and introduce master town planning for big cities.
In addition, a proposal to establish a one-window system to protect the rights of developers, buyers and other stakeholders was also considered.
The Prime Minister directed to consult with the provinces regarding these suggestions.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Relations Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, Chairman NAB Lt. General (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt, Attorney General M