ADB, Pakistan plan Land Data Bank for federal assets

A delegation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) called on Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, at his office on Thursday to discuss cooperation in housing and asset management. The meeting focused on developing a Land Data Bank for comprehensive information on federal assets, particularly prime land holdings across the country.

The delegation included Hong Soo, Senior Housing Specialist at ADB Headquarters, and Mian Shaukat Shafi, Unit Head Urban/Lead Officer at ADB's Pakistan Resident Mission. Welcoming the team, the minister thanked ADB for its cooperation in uplifting Pakistan's housing and real estate sector. According to an official statement, he underlined the government's commitment to transparency, efficient use of resources, and attracting investment through modern, data-driven systems. He stressed the importance of ADB's technical and financial support in achieving these goals.

Secretary Housing, Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh, said the Land Data Bank would compile accurate and accessible information on federal assets. He noted that large tracts of land face encroachment, depriving the government of benefits. Supported by GIS-based features, the system will help evaluate commercial value, attract private investment, and ensure better utilisation.

The secretary appreciated ADB's feedback on the draft National Housing Policy 2025 and suggested the Bank could act as a technical partner and guarantor, especially for private sector projects. He outlined areas of collaboration, including subsidy mechanisms in the housing sector, mortgage facilities, housing finance structures, green housing, climate-resilient construction techniques, urban regeneration policy updates, low-cost housing models, and the establishment of data banks for planning and monitoring.

The ADB team shared observations on thematic areas and target groups, expressing readiness to explore meaningful cooperation. They emphasised reforming the housing subsidy framework and stressed the need to adopt community-based models of social urban infrastructure, citing Singapore as an example, to ensure maximum welfare and wider participation. The meeting ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to sustainable housing development, modernised asset management, and creation of inclusive urban infrastructure in Pakistan.