'Land Bank being launched to set up residential colonies'

Federal Minister for Housing and Works Rehmatullah Kakar said that a 'Land Bank' was being established to acquire the required land for smooth launching of residential colonies in various parts of the country. "This land bank will ensure provision of required land for constructing housing colonies under the Prime Minister's scheme across the country," the minister said while addressing journalists in a ceremony held in connection with balloting of C and D type flats here.
He said the PPP-led government is committed for well being of the common man and improving their standard of living, and it is not ignorant of masses' problems. "The government is giving top priority to provide quality accommodation at cheaper rates," he added.
Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) held a computerised balloting to select 304 candidates out of more than 1,000 aspirants of acquiring C and D type flats under the Prime Minister's countrywide housing scheme. These C and D type flats are allocated for the general public. Federal Minister for Housing and Works Rehmatullah Kakar, who was the chief guest on the occasion, pressed the button to start the computerised draw for the two categories.
Rehmatullah Kakar said construction work on 208 flats of 'C' category and 96 units of 'D' category located in sectors G-10/2 and G-11/3 of the capital was in full swing. "Receiving more than three times higher applications for 304 flats is reflective of the peoples' confidence in the government policies. Therefore, computerised draw is being held to ensure transparency in the entire process," he added.
He said the ministry of Housing and Works was fully complying with the directives of the government aimed at making the countrywide housing scheme a success story. To a question, the minister said a subsidy of Rs 500,000 to 700,000 would be given to government employees for 'B and E' type flats.
Earlier giving briefing to journalists about housing projects, Managing Director PHA, Raja Muhammad Abbas said like Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta and Karachi, a pilot project in Peshawar would also be launched within a few days. Commenting on prices of flats, he said an average cost for 'C' type flats measuring 1,100 square feet is 5.2 million. While, flats in category 'D' measuring 900 square feet would cost about Rs 3.2 million, he added.