ISLAMABAD: A delegation of UN-Habitat on Friday expressed its commitment to supporting the review of Pakistan’s draft National Housing Policy 2025, in consultation with the World Bank and other international partners.
A delegation from the UN-Habitat Headquarters held a meeting with Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada at the Ministry of Housing and Works.
According to the housing ministry’s statement, key officials from the ministry, including Secretary Hamed Yaqub Sheikh, the FGEHA director general, CEO of Pakistan Infrastructure Company and director policy and planning wing also participated in the meeting.
The UN-Habitat delegation included Ombretta Tempra, head of the mission and Chief Land Housing and Shelter Section; Mr John Taylor, Chief Technical Advisor UN-Habitat Pakistan; and Jawed Ali Khan, Country Head UN-Habitat Pakistan.
A press release issued by the housing ministry after the meeting stated: “It was recommended that the World Bank be approached for financial support following the policy review, as UN-Habitat primarily serves as a technical partner.
It was also agreed upon that a joint consultative session will be held three weeks after the policy review to explore further collaboration opportunities, and an urban regeneration pilot project, potentially focused on rental housing, will be launched in the Federal Capital Territory based on successful global models,” it said.
Earlier, the minister welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for UN-Habitat’s continued support in addressing Pakistan’s housing challenges. The minister highlighted the urgent need for affordable housing solutions aligned with national development priorities, keeping in view the best practical solutions globally.
The press release said that during the meeting, a presentation was delivered outlining ministry’s mandate, initiatives, and underscoring Pakistan’s national housing deficit of approximately 10 million units. It was elaborated that high land costs, technical complexities, limited access to mortgage finance, and the need to promote vertical housing to maximise land efficiency are the recent challenges in the housing sector.
Ombretta Tempra stressed the importance of affordable housing for low-income and marginalised communities. Drawing from global best practices in Nairobi and China, she proposed innovative financing models such as mortgages, bank guarantees, microfinancing, and rental housing, highlighting rental housing as a growing global trend for affordability.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to enhancing cooperation for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient housing solutions in Pakistan.
Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2025
