RAWALPINDI, Sept 13: Punjab government here on Saturday finalized a project of providing houses to its employees which will be formally launched soon.

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Illahi, speaking after a meeting held in this connection at the federal finance minister’s office, said the scheme was likely to give a boost to the industries associated with the housing sector and create employment opportunities.

He said the government was fully cognizant of the problems confronted by the government employees and was trying its level best to facilitate them.

The meeting decided that government employees in all grades (BPS 1-22) would be given land for construction of houses in all 34 districts of the province. The plots of land would be shortly allocated for the purpose.

Those interested in constructing houses would be provided soft loans through the House Building Finance Corporation.

Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz told the meeting that the promise made in the fiscal budget to help the countrymen in constructing houses would be fulfilled.

He said private banks were expected to play an important role in this regard.

Mr Aziz reiterated the government’s commitment to give impetus to the economic and industrial activities in the country. He said the government would use all possible resources for the welfare and uplift of the masses.

President PML-Q said the project was a step towards the fulfilment of the promises made by his party in its manifesto during the general elections.

He said the important factor about the scheme was that it would equally benefit all — from the lowest to the senior most cadres employees of the provincial government.