ABAD to initiate low-cost housing projects in Punjab

Governor Punjab has shown interest to facilitate the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) to initiate low cost housing projects in Punjab. He was speaking at a meeting organised at ABAD house here on Monday. Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana while appreciating the role of ABAD asked the bearers to send him the proposal of low cost housing projects, which were already forwarded to the Prime Minster, along with the issues being faced by ABAD members in Punjab.
He said ABAD was fulfilling its duties to provide shelters to the public; adding the role of builders and developers was critical for the development of the country. Rajwana said Karachi was the heart of Pakistan and praised the Karachiities for their support and sacrifices in ongoing operation against terrorists.
Moreover, Rajwana said that purchasing a home was now supposed to be a daydream for common man and hoped that government would work with the ABAD for providing affordable houses to the middle lower segments of the society. In his welcome speech, Chairman ABAD Hanif Gohar said that after agriculture sector, the construction industry was the only sector providing substantial number of employment to both skilled and unskilled workers; adding that construction sector was contributing 2.5 percent to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He further said that ABAD was working for construction of low-cost houses and change slum areas into well-organized settlements, which could not only provide standard living to the deprived segment of the society but also create a positive impact on law and order situation.
Gohar cited that Sindh Building Control Authority (SCBA) and ABAD in order to ensure the quality and high standards in construction projects had evolved a mechanism that no builder other than ABAD members was allowed to get approval for constructing residential projects. However, ABAD has no such understanding with any authority in Punjab. He therefore urged the Governor Punjab to look into the matter and take similar measures not only to facilitate the ABAD but also ensure high standards construction activities in the provin
Patron-in-Chief ABAD Mohsin Sheikhani said that ABAD was ready to work with the government of Punjab regarding affordable houses, adding that the provincial government should change rules regarding construction sector. Senior Vice Chairman Arif Yousuf Jeewa, Vice Chairman Rizwan Adhia, Chairman Southern Region ABAD Asif Sumsum, Junaid Ashraf Taloo and others were present on this occasion.