May 25, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 19, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 24: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday turned down a proposal of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) regarding development of a housing scheme for government employees in Zone-V by relaxing Islamabad Capital Territory Zoning Regulations 1992.

In a presentation to the prime minister, the authority requested him to allow development of a mega housing scheme to meet shortage of residential units in the capital.

However, the prime minister directed the authority to prepare a comprehensive summary in this regard and submit it to the Prime Minister Secretariat.

Under the zoning regulations, no housing activity can be carried out in Zone-V as it was meant for agriculture farms where minimum size of a farm is 20 kanals.

The relaxation in the ICT Zoning Regulations 1992 will enable the authority to provide land to the ministry of housing and works for developing residential facilities, in the first phase, for government employees as well as the public.

The prime minister also asked the ministry of housing and works to focus on providing shelter to the poorest of the poor in all its housing plans besides fulfilling its assigned task of providing residences to the federal government employees.

He said the proposed action plan for provision of houses to the federal government employees should also target the shelterless. He directed the departments concerned to sort out modalities for ensuring availability of low-cost housing facilities to the needy.

Earlier briefing the prime minister, the secretary housing and works said Pakistan Housing Authority had been asked to provide a house to every government employee on retirement. The prime minister was also apprised of the recommendations finalised by the sub-committee of the cabinet constituted for this purpose.

The prime minister was informed that the proposed housing scheme was catering to the needs of government employees besides constructing a large number of apartments for the poor and needy sections of society other than government servants.

The chairman, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Kamran Lashari informed the meeting about the availability of land in Islamabad.

He solicited the approval of the prime minister in empowering the CDA Board to review the Zoning Regulations 1992 to incorporate new planning and development parameters.

The prime minister directed the officials to prepare a summary and submit it to the cabinet for approval with a shortest possible time.