ISLAMABAD: An international company is still waiting to receive approval for establishment of production units in major cities of the country for construction of prefabricated houses under the Naya Pakistan Housing project.

The inauguration ceremony of the first double-storey home — built by Korean company G-Songuo — was held on Nov 9, however, due to non-compliance with procurement rules of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) the project is being delayed.

Around 100,000 homes per year are to be built under the flagship project of Naya Pakistan Housing Authority, which aims to build 5 million homes for lower-middle class families.

The first structure with fully furnished 2,500sq feet bedrooms was built in seven days.

According to Amer Raza, a representative of the company, the lifespan of these houses is 50 years. The company is interested in facilitating the Pakistani government by building 18,000 houses and apartments per year with single production facility, however, he added, since the company has planned to establish manufacturing units in all major cities, therefore, it can safely produce 100,000 houses in a year.

The cost of the prototype was comparatively higher (Rs10 million) as material for construction had to be imported from Korea, he said.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2020