ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: Parliamentarians on Wednesday raised concerns over 'high' prices of flats being constructed for government employees in the capital under the PM's Housing Scheme.

The issue was brought to the notice of the Minister for Housing MNA Mian Riaz Hussain Peerzada through a call attention notice by MNAs Yasmeen Rehman, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, and Shagufta Jumani among others.

“The apartments being built in Sector G-13 ranged from a minimum Rs2 million to a hefty Rs6 million for federal government employees. The price was about 10 to 15 percent higher for private people,” Mian Riaz Hussain Peerzada informed the house.

The nearly 2, 900 A, B, C, D and E-type apartments would cater for residential needs of as many as 3, 000 families. The apartments had all modern facilities such as high speed elevators, security mechanisms, green areas, community centers, mini-super markets, day care centers, theatres and garbage disposal systems to mention a few.

Mian Riaz Hussain Peerzada conceded that the concern from members regarding prices was genuine.

“But these prices are revisable. We need to sit down again to see how else to bring the costs down that are very high in the market today. At the same time these apartments will provide quality living to all government employees,” said the MNA emphasizing on facilities along modern lines.

Wondering if low grade government employees could afford such fancy apartments, MNA Yasmeen Rehman asked if some of the facilities could be lessened to reduce prices of apartments.

MNA Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho echoed along similar lines when she said, “People do not need 5-star facilities but affordable accommodation. This was not envisioned in this scheme. Prices must be made affordable and not by reducing the sizes of the apartments.”

MNA Abdul Ghafoor Chaudhry suggested that the price of the land be cut to bring down the prices of the apartments.

Elegantly defending the scheme, Mian Riaz Hussain Peerzada said that the prices would be reconsidered.

“Acquisition of the land was delayed. The cost of the land cannot be cut. It was acquired by paying heavy compensations to the settlers and illegal occupants,” said the MNA explaining that the land was prime property and close to the new airport.Responding to a question, the Minister failed to provide a definite date when these apartments would be completed.

“The effort would be to finish as early as possible because delays will further increase prices of construction,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention that in his first address at the Parliament House after taking vote of confidence in December 2008 the Prime Minister had announced the construction of housing units for the shelterless government employees and the public on affordable cost.

However, the prices of the same have been ascending since then.