Imran vows to build 5m houses

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan while unveiling his National Housing Policy (NHP), announced to build five million low cost affordable houses across the country if PTI comes into power in result of upcoming general election.

Speaking at a ceremony organized by the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan at ABAD House here, he said NHP will create thousands of jobs for unemployed youth of the country and appeared optimistic to overcome economic crisis through this venture. Khan said the construction sector could bring economic revolution in the country.

“By announcing to build five million low cost affordable houses across the country, PTI is poised to take it as a big challenge instead of election agenda because PTI being political party doesn’t take steps for next elections but for next generation”.

PTI chief said as the housing demand rose to 12 million, the construction of 5 million houses would not only boost construction sector but also support other allied industries; adding that growth rate of the country could be increased through NHP.

Talking about ‘one billion trees tsunami project’, he said PTI faced serious hardships during initial two years but they overcame it and made the project a success story and hoped that NHP, which was drafted in assistance with Zaigham Rizvi and ABAD members, would make turnaround the country’s economic situation.

ABAD chairman Arif Yousuf Jeewa hoped that this policy was not just for the political mileage as two former governments had also assured to build five lacs low cost houses each but their announcements remained only political slogans.

He also requested to introduce English Mortgage system in Pakistan and allow the construction of residential buildings up to 12 floors in Karachi; adding that under English Mortgage system, the property was transferred to banks and then to the allottees after payments of all dues.

Jeewa further said the government could achieve high revenue target if the ratio of tax was brought down to 10 percent from 35 percent and businessmen were allowed to pay taxes online. He revealed that father of PTI chief was also a member of ABAD and Imran’s membership was expired in 2008.

Earlier, PTI president of Sindh chapter Firdous Shanim Naqvi said ABAD and Ziagham Rizvi actively supported for drafting this housing policy and added that it would create 20 million jobs. Moreover, he said houses would be built under Public Private Partnership and for the purpose, fixed tax regime would be introduced again for five years and added that one window system would be implemented for the whole process of plan approval. Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, Arif Habib and other leading businessmen and PTI leaders were present on this occasion.