KARACHI, Jan 15: The Taiser Town (Scheme-45), balloting for which was performed by President Pervez Musharraf on Sunday, would be developed on self-finance basis. The project is to cost Rs39.5 billion and is expected to be completed within five years.

Located in the north-eastern part of Karachi, Taiser Town is predominantly a low-income housing scheme providing a maximum number of 80 and 120 sq-yard plots.

Computer balloting was held for 34,762 plots of 80 sq-yard category on Sunday. Some 416,000 applications were received from all over the country in September 2005.

Provision for various other categories of residential plots has been made including for 400, 240 and 120 sq-yards.

In the next phase, applications will be invited for 120 sq-yard plots.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad took special interest in giving practical shape to the scheme on ground after it had remained dormant for the last two decades.

Ibad approved the concept plan of the scheme in a meeting in March 2004.

Ten per cent quota has been allocated for grades 1 to 7 employees of the Sindh government, while 10 per cent quota allocation has been made for overseas Pakistanis, and 80 per cent for the general public.

The amenities available within residential sectors include public buildings, offices of utility departments, mosques, an imambargah, schools and colleges, parks and playgrounds, commercial areas, telephone exchanges, wedding complex halls, and local post and e-mail offices, as well as recreation resorts around Nilofer Hill with a water reservoir at the top, Cyberville (IT Park), etc.—APP