Sector for overseas Pakistanis: CDA given 15-day deadline to complete survey

Dar says development options to be prioritised once technical assessments are complete

ISLAMABAD: The CDA has been directed to complete detailed technical assessments for developing new housing sectors in the capital and to complete a survey in this regard in a fortnight, particularly a sector for overseas Pakistanis.

This was decided at a meeting between Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the Capital Development Authority and the Capital Administration (CDA) and Development Division (CADD) in Islamabad on Sunday.



They reviewed development on new sectors in the capital, including the proposed housing sector for overseas Pakistanis.

“The CDA has been given 15 days to conduct a survey for where such a sector can be built,” Islamabad Metropolitan Mayor and Capital Development Authority Chairman Sheikh Anser Aziz said after Sunday’s meeting.

The mayor added that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had directed to allot a specific sector in the capital for overseas Pakistanis. He further said that the sector would have units for both residential and commercial purposes.

Earlier during the meeting, CDA briefed the minister about plans for developing new sectors and commercial areas in the capital. Dar said that once detailed technical assessments are complete, different options for developing new sectors could be prioritised.

The finance minister said that increased economic activity in the capital had corresponded with a hike in urban housing needs – something which CDA should respond to.

He added that the government would fully support CDA in developing new sectors, including the one for overseas Pakistanis in accordance with international standards.



Dar had asked CDA to develop a housing sector for overseas Pakistanis to provide them with profitable, safe and secure investment and residential opportunities at the last meeting on March 17. He had further told CDA to use latest available information technology tools to facilitate overseas investors in registration, land records and all documentary processes related to purchasing of properties in the proposed sector.

On Sunday, Dar reminded CDA that overseas Pakistanis were keen on investing in the country and that they needed to be facilitated. He hoped that CDA would make all efforts for accelerating work on the development of new sectors.

Minister for CADD Dr Tariq Fazal said that development of new sectors was a crucial initiative and it was important to implement it at a fast pace.

Aziz assured them that the civic agency would complete preliminary work and make a detailed presentation on work plans for the new sectors soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2017.