ISLAMABAD: People of Islamabad could soon see a model of the first ever prefabricated low cost housing units to be built under the ambitious housing plan of Naya Pakistan Housing Development Authority (Naphda).

The model is being displayed on the premises of Pak-China Centre as Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) in this regard.

The low cost housing units are a flagship programme of Prime Minister Imran Khan. According to his election speeches, his government would build five million houses for the underprivileged class.

Sources in the CDA said recently Naphda had requested the civic agency for allocation of a suitable place for the display of the model. In response, the CDA on October 9 issued an NOC which stated: “It is to inform that permission is hereby granted to place the model fabricated house in the premises of Pak-China Centre by Naphda.”

“It is purely a temporary permission; the structure will be removed when asked by the authority. No infrastructure of the existing services will be damaged during placement of the model. No tree will be cut and no environmental hazard will be created. Watch and ward of the model will also be arranged by the sponsor. The placing of the model will be such that it will not create hindrance in pedestrian or vehicle movement,” read the CDA letter available with Dawn.

When contacted, CDA spokesperson Mazhar Hussain said they have issued NOC to Naphda for placing the model at Pak-China Centre.

He said the centre will remain open for public as the unit will be placed at a vacant area.

The sources said it was yet to be clear whether Naphda will bring to the centre a built structure or assemble it at the venue.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2020