KARACHI, Aug 11: A group of Jeddah-based overseas Pakistanis has built eight model houses as specimens for a low-cost housing scheme for people affected by the Lyari Expressway (LE), who can either choose between these units or the Rs50,000 being offered as compensation allowance.

This was stated by city Nazim Naimatullah Khan during a briefing to Sindh Governor Mohammadmian Soomro at a visit to the site of the settlements for displaced persons (DP’s) in Hawkesbay, where the 8 model houses are located.

Convener of the overseas group, Rana Abdul Rauf, said that they had launched the work about two and a half months after signing a MoU with the city government in this regard, and each of these units had one room with a roof built of slabs, veranda, kitchen and bathroom. Any additional amount that needed to be spent in building these units would be borne by the group, it was stated.

He said that this settlement has been named as scheme No. 42 of the city government, where the standard of construction quality and work has been maintained. The group will receive Rs.50,000 for each unit from the city government.

The governor lauded the efforts of the city government in initiating the project for the welfare of the masses, and said that the impression had been dispelled that the government is only uprooting the dwellers of the Lyari riverbed.

Instead, the government is actually trying to upgrade their standard of living by settling them in decent localities where all facilities including mosques, schools and medical units will be provided for by the civic agencies, the governor stated.

The city Nazim, briefed the governor regarding the initiation of this scheme, and informed him that he had received feedback that a large number of poor dwellers cannot afford to build a dwelling with the compensation amount of Rs 50,000.

Therefore, during his visit to Saudi Arabia, he had requested a group of Pakistanis to invest in establishing a settlement of low cost housing units over 80 sq yards for the resettlement of displaced persons.

He added that the DP’s have a dual choice — either they can have the compensation amount, or the key to a model house.

The city Nazim said that there were about 14,000 DP’s who will be resettled in Baldia Town, Qaiser Town Malir, Korangi and Hawkesbay scheme by the city government. He further said that the group has also assured that they will build similar model houses at all these areas and the DP’s can choose to live in any of these settlements.

Khan informed the governor that a large number of displaced persons have expressed their desire to reside in the model houses rather than taking the compensation amount.—PPI