20000418

Housing Authority set up

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The federal Government has decided to establish a Pakistan housing authority to prepare plans and programmes for housing projects for the needy in the country.

The authority whose composition is yet to be announced will be headed by a chairman to be appointed by the Chief Executive.

Based in Islamabad, the authority will have four directors-general. The authority may appoint a director-general for each province.

The functions of the authority shall be to prepare and promote plans for housing projects; prepare guidelines for programmes; negotiate for financial resources from national and international financing or aid giving agencies; obtain land for housing programmes; arrange loan facilities through financial institutions; select professionals, consultants and engineers for implementing the programmes; select private developers, site consultants and conduct surveys of land, etc.

A press release states that Secretary Housing and Works had notified the establishment of PHA through a resolution last week which replaces the earlier notification of the Cabinet Division of May 18, 1999.

The officers and staff of the authority shall be subject to civil servants acts and rules made thereunder.