CDAs move frustrates plan to launch Prime Ministers housing Scheme.

ISLAMABAD, September 06, 2009 (Balochistan Times): The Capital Development Authoritys ambiguous and sudden U-turn over identification of 240 acres land for construction of housing units near Kurri road under Prime Ministers scheme for federal government employees has frustrated Pakistan Housing Authoritys venture to launch full scale housing project. Incharge Prime Ministers Housing Scheme Cell and Director General Structures Pakistan Housing Authority Athar Nawaz Malik told here that earlier CDA had identified the land for construction of housing units for government employees from Grade 16 to 22 near Kurri road but later retreated from its promise. First they identified 240 acres land, then reduced it to 200 acres, once again to 140 acres and now only 101 acres land, but despite initial payment of 10 per cent by PHA they are reluctant to hand over the land, he added. He said CDA took the stance that first it had to demarcate zones as it was not possible for it to hand over the identified land to PHA. A summary for allocation of Zone IV had been moved by the civic body but so far nothing has come out, he added. Replying to another question about number of units, he said it depends upon the area of land. PHA would prefer construction of vertical housing units on land use concept, however, about 7,000 to 8,000 housing units over proposed 101 acres of land could be constructed, he added. He said the construction of these housing chains would facilitate federal government employees as the Ministry of Housing would provide them apartment at least Rs 500,000 cheaper than market rates. Under Prime Ministers housing scheme for low paid federal government employees one million houses would be constructed in the Federal Capital and four provincial capitals.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)