June 15, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 29, 1428

ISLAMABAD, June 14: The government is contemplating regularising notified kutchi abadis (slums) across the country and launching mega housing programmes in a bid to tackle the enormous shortage of some 6.5 million residential units, according to the annual plan for the year 2007-08.

Though around 300,000 housing units are being built annually, the figure is even less than half of the over 650,000 demand.

The proposed programmes will be supplemented by enhanced supply of institutional resources and long-term affoardable financial rates.

The annual plan titled Vision 2030 envisages provision of shelter to all with access to essential amenities in a clean and secure setting by increasing the availability of developed land and more small size plots for low income groups.

Currently, some 85 per cent of the country’s population is present in 20 per cent of Pakistan’s total land east of the Indus River in close proximity to the border with India. This area would not be able to absorb the envisaged enhanced economic activities and trade.

Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2007- 08, the government has allocated Rs18 billion for housing sector as against Rs12 billion earmarked last year.

The government has also assigned Rs6.5 billion under the Clean Drinking Water for All programme in a move to encourage people to construct houses in areas where water is available.

Meanwhile, public housing institutions like House Building Finance Corporation (HBFC) have been directed to develop links with NGOs and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) for providing shelter to the masses at lower prices.

According to the annual plan, the Sindh and Punjab governments had recently undertaken major initiatives in line with the Vision 2030’s urban development under which the City District Government Karachi would ensure implementation of a mega city development plan for improving urban infrastructure.

During the next year, the government would facilitate development of 250,000 small size plots in “Site and Services Schemes” in both urban and rural areas.