PM directs constitution of special cell to resolve construction sector related issues

ISLAMABAD, Jun 15 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday directed for the constitution of a special cell under the Naya Pakistan Housing Authority and comprising representatives from State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), relevant ministries, provincial governments and their departments concerned for better coordination and fast track resolution of the construction related issues.
He was chairing a meeting to review progress on the steps taken under Naya Pakistan Housing project for the construction of houses for the low income group and promotion of construction sector.
Chairman of Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Lt Gen (R) Anwar Ali Haider and senior officials whereas SBP Governor Reza Baqir, former finance minister Shaukat Tareen, Arif Habeeb, Mudassar Khan, Aqeel Kareem Dhedhi, Hassan Bakhshi and others attended the meeting via video link, said a Prime Minister Office Media Wing press release.
During the meeting, the prime minister directed that with the consultation of commercial banks, the recommendations, formulated by a think tank for expediting construction under the Naya Pakistan Housing project, should be finalized so that creation of financial resources for the construction of houses could be ensured.
Addressing the participants, he said the government was providing Rs30 billion for the completion of Naya Pakistan Housing project so that the project could be expedited to provide affordable residences to the low income group.
He said the Naya Pakistan Housing had been the vital project of the government for keeping the wheels of economy moving. A number of other allied industries would be benefited with the accomplishment of this project, he added.
He said due to coronavirus pandemic, the government paid special attention to the promotion of construction sector to ensure provision of houses to the low income group, besides creating employment opportunities for the labourers and the poor people.
The chairman of Naya Pakistan Authority briefed the prime minister about the steps taken so far over the project with regard to coronavirus pandemic situation.
He said for expediting the construction under the project, a think tank, consisting relevant experts from the construction sectors had been constituted.
The think tank had formulated its recommendations with regard to the construction of affordable residences for the low income people and the related arrangements of financial resources and mechanism.
About incentives in the construction sector, it was informed that fee for the transfer of properties and registration
had been reduced significantly and it was being implemented in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Besides, for the facilitation of developers and builders, special steps were being taken so that they could easily avail of the incentives as provided by the government.
The meeting also considered in detail the recommendations of the think tank for the promotion of construction sector.