LAHORE: At least 365,000 people have been registered in the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme in a month and a half, according to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

According to a spokesperson, 365,000 people registered themselves for the project since July 15 through Nadra’s online registration process. “Some 7,500 Nadra e-facility centres are providing information to people about the project. Besides, three special camps have been set up at Raiwind, Chuhng and Ferozepur Road for awareness and registration of citizens for the programme,” he said.

The spokesman clarified that only a computerised national identity card was required for registration with a fee of Rs250. The registration would continue till Oct 15, he added.

Last month, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme under which five million affordable houses have been promised for the under-privileged during the next five years.

PM Khan said his government was committed to providing affordable housing to the people. The housing units will be built on a public-private partnership basis with the government providing the land and the private sector constructing the houses.

According to the government, balloting will be held to choose the eligible people keeping in view the large number of applicants.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2019