12 May 2004	Wednesday	21 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, May 11: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said that there is a need to build 200,000 houses annually in the province and housing schemes are being prepared in this regard.

However, he said that just initiating schemes would not be enough. Provision of necessary facilities to residents and timely completion of these schemes would also have to be ensured, he added.

Speaking to a gathering in Malir on Tuesday, he said that allottees of New Malir Housing Scheme had been given papers of the plots. Besides, he said, many people were getting their allotment orders as well as physical possession of their houses. He further said that progress was also made on the Taser Town Scheme.

On the occasion, he was apprised about the ongoing development works under the New Malir Housing Scheme, including carpeting of roads. He was informed that 500-acre land had been vacated and the work for transfer, mutation and lease had also started.

The governor directed to computerize all records and make the process transparent. He said that the government was emphasising upon low-cost housing schemes in order to meet residential needs of low-income group.

"The obstacles in implementation of national housing policy are being removed, as this industry not only provides protection to families, but also provides job opportunities to many," he said.

Dr Ibad directed the organizations concerned to make the procedures in this regard easy and adopt soft and feasible policies. He also directed the officials concerned to take measures for completion of the low-cost housing project in Korangi Industrial Area without any delay.

He said General Musharraf was emphasising upon providing residential facilities to homeless people throughout the country and had also given a clear strategy for low-cost housing schemes. -PPI