PM Imran performs groundbreaking of Naya Pakistan Housing Programme in Okara

LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan performed the groundbreaking of Naya Pakistan Housing Programme in Okara on Saturday. 

Addressing the ceremony, the prime minister said five million houses will be built in five years. “This housing society will give a chance to those who could never imagine owning a house of their own.”

He added, “We are taking steps to uplift the weak segments of the society. The government is committed to providing basic facilities to the masses."

"The private sector will invest in this mega project while the government will play the role of facilitator," the premier said adding that several foreign companies have taken a great interest in investing in the housing sector.

The prime minister added the scope of the housing project is to spread to the whole country. "I am confident that the project will gather pace with each passing year as Naya Pakistan Housing Authority has been established and all the hurdles in the way have been removed with amendments in the rules and regulations of State Bank of Pakistan."

Moreover, PM Imran said the government is executing difficult projects which the previous governments failed to undertake. "The housing project will enable the youth to establish construction companies. This mega project will uplift forty industries allied to the construction which will generate economic activity and job opportunities for the youth."

"The government is also bringing a program for katchi abadies in which these slums will be converted into flats where people will have access to basic amenities including water, electricity and sewerage," PM Imran shared.

The prime minister further said only those societies progress which care about its less privileged. “We need to work providing shelter to those who do not have anywhere to live and food to those who are hungry,” he lamented.

Citing the example of the state of Medina, the prime minister said, “The state of Medina was the first welfare state. The system in Europe today is based on the one brought by our Prophet in the state of Medina. The state of Median was the foundation for the Muslims.”

“There was no money in the state of Medina, they were poor but they had percipience and if a society is understanding then even God helps them,” the premier added. 

Earlier, the premier held separate meetings with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Governor Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar to discuss important matters.

The Punjab cabinet has already approved the release of five billion rupees to the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency for the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme.