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PM launches Rs3.2 trl program to fund building of 0.5m homes in five years

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday launched a landmark five-year, Rs3.2 trillion housing program, aimed at funding the construction of 500,000 homes nationwide, with a vision to provide affordable shelter for low-income citizens, lacking the financial means to build their own houses.

The prime minister, addressing the program’s launch ceremony of Wazir-e-Azam Apna Ghar Program, said that besides enabling people to own a house, the initiative will also act as a powerful economic multiplier to boost significant industrial growth and create jobs for a diverse workforce, ranging from manual laborers to engineers.

“No program is quite as dear to me as this, for it holds the promise of revitalizing our industrial and commercial sectors while paving the way for economic prosperity… This landmark program is the culmination of extensive deliberations and tireless effort, having successfully overcome a myriad of complex challenges,” the prime minister told the ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Housing and Works Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, other federal ministers, banking professionals, representatives from the construction industry, and the beneficiaries of the program.

He described the “Apna Ghar” initiative as a sacred obligation of any government, intended to support the needy who have long been deprived of the security of homeownership.

Prime Minister Shehbaz, who earlier pushed the button to launch the initiative and distributed cheques of loans among the beneficiaries, sanctioned by different banks, said that the program was a reflection of Ashiana housing scheme he had launched while being Chief Minister of Punjab.

He told the gathering that the program was not confined to Islamabad as it would cater to the needs of all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

Explaining the contours of the program, he said that for the first year, the government has set a target to fund 50,000 houses for which an amount of Rs321 billion had been earmarked. Over the five years, the government would finance 500,000 housing units supported by an allocation of Rs3.2 trillion.

He said that the program featured a 20-year repayment timeline, with a 5% markup for the first ten years, after which the market rate would apply.

Under the scheme, loans of up to Rs10 million will be available on easy terms. The eligible applicants will be able to construct houses over a land measuring up to 10 marlas.

Prime Minister Shehbaz extended his gratitude to the Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and the Governor of the State Bank for their cooperation in finalizing this financing, besides expressing gratitude to Housing Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and his team for helping the formulation of the program.

He announced to personally review the project’s progress on a monthly basis to address any shortcomings and ensure timely payments.

In a clear message to the banking sector, he said that the banks leading the way in serving the common man through the housing program would be honored with national awards on August 14. However, those demonstrating laxity to the plight of the homeless should not expect “anything good” from him.

Earlier, in his address, Housing and Works Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada credited the relevant federal secretaries for their instrumental role in bringing this project to fruition.

He said that the initiative followed the formation of a dedicated task force and that a survey revealed a staggering shortage of 10 million housing units across the country.

Reflecting on the ministry’s efforts to align with the prime minister’s vision, the minister underscored the significance of implementing bold administrative reforms, including the winding up of the Public Works Department (PWD).

Reaffirming his commitment to the trust placed in him, he commended the country’s civil and military leadership, saying that the entire nation took pride in their contributions to the stability and progress of the state.

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Pakistani Students’ UK Visa Delays Raised by Azam Nazeer Tarar with British High Commissioner

Azam Nazeer Tarar with UK High Commissioner

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott called on Federal Minister for Law & Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar. The meeting discussed Pakistan-UK bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, the Federal Minister raised the issue of delays in UK visas for Pakistani students and conveyed the Government of Pakistan’s concern to the British High Commissioner.

Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said that hundreds of Pakistani students were facing difficulties due to delays in visa processing, with a risk that the delays could result in the loss of their academic year. He stressed the need to remove obstacles faced by Pakistani students seeking education abroad and facilitate them in this regard.

The Federal Minister briefed the British High Commissioner that, on the directives of the Prime Minister, a committee under his chairmanship was working to improve the legal and institutional framework concerning Pakistani students studying abroad.

He further informed the High Commissioner that, on the Prime Minister’s directives, the committee had finalized its recommendations on the matter, and work was underway to further improve the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students pursuing education abroad.

The Federal Minister said that the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students seeking education abroad was being improved to develop an effective mechanism for addressing the issues faced by students.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott assured the Federal Minister that the issue of delays in visas for Pakistani students would be addressed.

The meeting also discussed further strengthening educational linkages between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, as well as enhancing institutional cooperation and engagement between the two countries.

Minister of State for Law, Justice and Human Rights Barrister Aqeel Malik was also present during the meeting.

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Naqvi Sets September 30 Deadline for Completion of Islamabad Safe City Expansion

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, visited the Islamabad Safe City Headquarters on Friday and chaired a special meeting to review progress on the Safe City Expansion Project, directing officials to complete the ambitious initiative by September 30.

During the briefing, officials informed the minister that overall work on the expansion project has reached 85 percent completion. Installation of the new surveillance network is also 85 percent complete, while 415 kilometres of optical fibre have been laid to support the upgraded system. Work on the data centre, cyber architecture, and cybersecurity infrastructure has also reached approximately 80 percent completion.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work, Naqvi stressed that the remaining tasks must be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

He said the government’s vision is to transform the Islamabad Safe City into a modern, smart, and world-class institution comparable to those in developed countries.

The interior minister said the technologically advanced Safe City system would significantly strengthen public safety through enhanced surveillance, effective monitoring, and rapid emergency response capabilities.

He noted that the project would play a vital role in improving law enforcement efficiency and ensuring better security for residents of the federal capital.

Naqvi also assigned officials the task of completing the state-of-the-art Fusion Centre within the next three months, describing it as a critical component of the upgraded Safe City network.

He further directed the relevant authorities to finalise the Safe City Bill at the earliest and present it before the National Assembly without delay to provide the legal framework necessary for the project’s long-term operation and expansion.

The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Interior, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), senior Safe City officials, and other relevant officers, who briefed the minister on the progress and future roadmap of the expansion project.

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PM Shehbaz, high-level delegation perform Umrah; pray for country’s progress

MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, along with his high-level delegation, performed Umrah here on Friday.

He was accompanied by his delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi.

The door of Khana Kaaba was opened specially for the prime minister and his delegation.

Following the completion of the Umrah rituals, the prime minister, field marshal, and other members of the Pakistani delegation offered special prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country, the safety and unity of the Muslim Ummah, and for regional and global peace.

The prime minister arrived in Jeddah on Thursday evening for a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Besides meeting with his Saudi counterpart, he will also pay a visit to the Roze-e-Rasool (PBUH) in Madinah.