KARACHI, Aug 10: Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has said that schematic planning of 1,000 square yards plots have been carried out so far and the development work will be started after due process and approval of PQA Board.

The scheme has been widely appreciated by the overseas Pakistanis and PQA has received overwhelming response which shows their confidence in the government after the 9/11 incident, PQA said on Monday in response to an article titled "Balloteers and Brokers" by Ardeshir Cowasjee, which appeared in Dawn on August 8 pertaining to the allotment of land to overseas Pakistanis at the Port Qasim.

PQA says that the authority had launched the scheme for overseas Pakistanis to allot small size of plots. The procedure for allotment under this scheme had been simplified and brief instructions/guidelines were disseminated to Pakistan's missions abroad through Ministry of Communication, Islamabad.

The application forms and the instructions were also accessible to overseas Pakistanis on the website which could have been completed by the interested Pakistanis without consulting people in the real estate business.

The policy of allotment of industrial plots in PQA which was approved by PQA board provides leasing out of plots on first-come-first-served basis or by way of balloting in case applications are more than the plots planned under the scheme.

PQA's approved policy encourages overseas investors to pay peripheral development charges in foreign currency and give preference for allotment of land in the industrial zones.

PQA realizes peripheral development charges for the infrastructure facilities instead of cost of land. The practice is in vogue since allotment started in PQA in the 80s. On the other hand, commercial plots are to be disposed off through open auction/bidding.

PQA policy ensures allotment of plots totally in transparent manner. The application duly attested by an authorized notary public or an authorized foreign mission of Pakistan from the origin overseas Pakistanis are acceptable.