September 16, 2008	Tuesday	Ramazan 15, 1429

KARACHI, Sept 15: Progress so far made in the implementation of a low-cost housing programme was reviewed at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah at Chief Minister’s House here on Monday.

The programme envisaged provision of low-cost houses in both urban and rural areas of the province as pledged in the Pakistan People’s Party’s manifesto, the chief minister told the meeting, adding that lands had already been allotted in several districts and construction work would start soon with the cooperation of builders, developers, architects and other professionals.

He directed the officials associated with the low-cost housing scheme to prepare a comprehensive plan at the earliest so that families without shelter could get a residential unit within their affordability.

Mr Shah gave approval to a plan for the construction of two-room houses in the coastal areas of Sindh with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In the first phase of the project, 200 houses will be constructed each in the Thatta and Badin districts’ rural areas and another 100 houses in coastal areas of Karachi over the next six months.

The chief minister observed that the project would also help provide employment opportunities to the local people, besides giving a boost to economic activities in the coastal areas. This would also help alleviate poverty, he added.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Minister for Housing Muzaffar Shajra, CM’s Special Assistant Ziaul Islam, Additional Chief Secretary Nazar Hussain Maher, UNDP representative Masood Lohar and Additional Finance Secretary Naheed Shah.—APP