ISLAMABAD, Oct 06 (APP):UN-Habitat Country Programme Manager Waqar Syed, has welcomed the launch of Pakistan’s National Housing Policy 2025, stressing that its success would ultimately depend on effective implementation and tangible improvements in access to safe, affordable and climate-resilient housing. He was addressing the launching ceremony of the National Housing Policy 2025, held at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, in collaboration with the United Nations Human …
UN-Habitat stresses effective implementation of National Housing Policy 2025
ISLAMABAD, Oct 06 (APP):UN-Habitat Country Programme Manager Waqar Syed, has welcomed the launch of Pakistan’s National Housing Policy 2025, stressing that its success would ultimately depend on effective implementation and tangible improvements in access to safe, affordable and climate-resilient housing.
He was addressing the launching ceremony of the National Housing Policy 2025, held at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on the occasion of World Habitat Day.
He said the policy marked an important milestone for Pakistan as the country had renewed its national housing framework after almost 25 years.
“The real story begins tomorrow,” he said, emphasising that the success of the policy would not be measured by the document itself but by what happened after its launch.
He said the key challenges included making housing finance accessible to low-and middle-income families, providing serviced land at affordable prices and supporting provincial and local governments in managing rapid housing growth.
He also stressed the need to upgrade informal settlements while ensuring that communities, particularly women and vulnerable groups, were actively involved in developing solutions.
The UN-Habitat Country Manager said the organisation had provided technical inputs and shared international experiences with the Ministry of Housing and Works during the policy formulation process, particularly in the areas of affordable housing, housing finance, secure tenure, informal settlements, climate resilience and implementation.
He, however, emphasised that the National Housing Policy reflected Pakistan’s own priorities, realities and aspirations.
He said the launch was particularly significant as it coincided with World Habitat Day 2026, being observed under the global theme “Adequate Housing for All”.
Highlighting the global housing challenge, he said billions of people continued to live in inadequate housing, informal settlements and homelessness, making housing an increasingly important component of the global development agenda.
He said the United Nations New Urban Agenda recognised housing as a fundamental and inclusive priority for sustainable cities and rural settlements, while housing was also at the centre of UN-Habitat’s new strategy.
Referring to Pakistan’s situation, he said cities and towns were expanding rapidly, while many families continued to live in informal settlements without secure tenure and adequate basic services. Young and low-income families were also facing growing difficulties in accessing affordable land, housing and finance, he added.
He said climate change was further increasing risks from floods, extreme heat and other hazards, while the devastating 2022 floods had highlighted the serious impact of climate-related disasters on housing and communities.
The Country Manager said adequate housing meant more than four walls and a roof, describing it as a safe, affordable and liveable home with access to basic services and livelihood opportunities.
He said the National Housing Policy addressed these challenges by focusing on affordable housing finance, green and energy-efficient homes, low-cost construction, rural housing, upgrading of informal settlements, planned urban growth, institutional strengthening and climate-resilient housing.
He reaffirmed UN-Habitat’s continued cooperation with the Ministry of Housing and Works, federal and provincial governments, local governments, development partners, the private sector, academia and communities to support the policy’s implementation.
He said collective efforts were needed to build a prosperous Pakistan where every family could have access to a safe, affordable and resilient home, which, he added, represented the true meaning of “Adequate Housing for All.”
