ISLAMABAD: Around 200,000 applications have been received in less than two weeks after deadline for registration with Naya Pakistan housing project was extended by a month, statistics released by the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) show.

“So far, more than 1.6 million applications have been received from across the country,” said a Nadra spokesman.

He said the number was over 1.4 million on Oct 15 when the date for registration had been extended till November 15.

He said the application from Lahore districts had jumped from 150,255 to 179,055 during the period.

The number of applications received from different districts of Karachi had reached 122,358, while the number of applications from Multan has increased from 47,802 to 65,345.

The number has increased from 44,786 to 51941 in Bahawalpur district and from 34,484 to 39,555 in Peshawar district.

“The registration process under the housing project is in full swing across the country and applications are being submitted from all areas in big numbers,” the spokesman added.

He said registration could also be made online through any Nadra e-sahulat centre by submitting a fee of Rs250.

Nadra is providing registration facilities at its e-sahulat franchise networks as well as the online facility through its website.

For those residing in Karachi, registration facility is also available at the Defence Housing Authority centre, North Nazimabad centre and Liaquatabad centre.

Nadra spokesman asked the applicants not to wait for the last date and apply online as early as possible.

Overseas Pakistanis and others wishing to own their houses on installments can also apply online while sitting in their homes by accessing Nadra’s website without any additional fee.

Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the second phase of registration for the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme in mid-July this year, asserting the scheme would provide affordable housing to low-income sections of the society.

The prime minister had also launched a web portal from where applicants could register themselves while at home without visiting to any office.

At the launching ceremony, the prime minister had said that the cabinet would approve necessary legislation to enable commercial banks to extend the facility of loans to those who could not afford to buy a house.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2019