Naya Pakistan Housing enters implementation phase

Second round of registration for the NPHP was launched last month

ISLAMABAD: The Naya Pakistan Housing Programme (NPHP) has entered its implementation phase after the groundbreaking of several schemes in different cities.

"The project is not only a step towards fulfilling the commitment made with the public by the government, but it will also help strengthen the national economy. Almost 40 industries associated with the construction industry will get a substantial boost," a senior official of the Ministry of Housing and Works told APP.

The five million units, being constructed under this scheme, are meant to overcome the housing shortage for lower-income groups. He said the ministry was confident about the successful implementation of the NPHP and aimed to ensure low-cost residential units for homeless people. In addition, it would also create thousands of job opportunities in the field related to the construction industry.

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Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the second phase to register NPHP applicants last month. The official said required data was being compiled to assess public needs and execute the project. Through the registration process, a clear picture of vital statistics relating to the housing project, including area preference, required finances and civic amenities would be obtained, he said.  "More than 500,000 people have applied for the facility since the launch of the first phase of the NPHP in October last year."

The official, highlighting the government's efforts under the NPHP said, the president had promulgated the Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority Ordinance, 2019, which was tabled in the National Assembly last month to strengthen legal and administrative aspects. This ordinance, the official said, had paved the way to establish the Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority for planning, development, construction and management of real estate development schemes and projects.

The authority would help identify immovable properties and projects suitable for development schemes, he said. "It will recommend that the federal government provide or procure immovable property or projects through any means permissible including compulsory acquisition, purchase, lease/license through private agreement or donation by any private party."

The efforts, he said, were being made in collaboration with Housing Task Force and respective city administrations of Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, RY Khan, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Vehari, Kasur, Sialkot, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Chishitan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Muzaffargarh for speedy completion of the schemes.

The official added that another housing project was recently launched on Angoori Road in Islamabad and it would be completed in one-and-a- half years. Another project for the construction of 110,000 units in Quetta and Gwadar, including 54,000 for fishermen, had been started while such projects would be initiated in other cities soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2019.