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Cabinet to consider report on housing scheme next month

ISLAMABAD: A report on the previous government housing scheme is nearing its completion and would be submitted to the cabinet for decision next month.

Minister for Hosuing and Works Abbas Sarfaraz Khan told APP in an interview.

He said Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf has directed the Ministry of Housing to review all the 42 housing projects started under "Mera Ghar Scheme" by the previous government and make them commercially viable.

"The report is considering the scheme from both commercial and legal angles and it would be ready for presentation to the cabinet next month".

Replying to a question about adverse effects of this scheme initiated by the previous government on the economy, he said, "the country has been saved from a huge loss".

Abbas said he held meetings with the authorities in Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to review the projects.

He said, a chartered accountant and a legal firm were also hired to see and review the validity of the scheme.

Despite provision of government land free of cost to the people under the scheme, the exorbitant prices of the houses were announced for the low-income people who could hardly afford such costs.

"It seems that it was a mere joke with the low-paid people of the country", he added.

He said that previous government also allowed the construction of houses in the amenity plots in certain areas which were meant for only construction of amenity complexes.

He said, the ministry has cancelled the plots for housing scheme and has decided to utilise them for amenity purposes only.

He, however, said the scheme will be completed purely on commercial basis and the cabinet will take final decision.

He said the housing policy will be formulated within a period of three to four months and added that allotment policy is being reviewed and rules of allotment would also be changed to provide houses to the government employees on merit.

In response to a question about sector D-12 and E-12, he said that CDA has assured that the land will be acquired by the end of March 31, 2000 and the plots will be handed over to the affectees soon after it.

The work will get under way in E-12 soon after the completion of development work in D-12 also, he added.

He said all departments concerned have been asked to submit progress report in this regard in the meeting held every 15 days under his chairmanship.

Secretary Housing and Works, Nazar Abbas Siddiquee said that the government is working on a foreclosure law on property and will soon be finalised and added that CBR has also been requested to issue SRO's regarding housing industry.

In response to a question about demand of ownership rights to the residents of sector G-6, he said that according to the cabinet decision in 1996, the government will construct flats there and sold them. APP