Aashiyana City project: all modern amenities to be provided to the poor, says chief minister

Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that "Aashiyana City", consisting of more than 20,000 houses, would be established at Burki Road and this project will be unique with regard to its quality, transparency and would be a masterpiece of architecture. He said that all modern amenities would be provided to the poor man under the project.
He directed the concerned authorities to submit a comprehensive plan within seven days keeping in view all aspects of the project. He was presiding over a meeting with regard to new projects and implementation of Aashiyana Housing Schemes in various districts of the province at Aashiyana Housing Scheme Project Saroba Atari, here Saturday.
Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that all credit for providing shelter to the common man in the province goes to Pakistan Muslim League-N which has materialised the dream of homeless persons of having their own house through Aashiyana Housing scheme. He said that though various projects were evolved for the elite in the 63 years' history of the country, Aashiyana Housing scheme is meant for the poor, widows, orphans and labourers and better facilities than the housing colonies of elite are being provided under these projects.
He informed that final shape is being given to the project of Aashiyana Housing Scheme in Lahore and this project, comprising 21,000 houses, will be completed keeping in view the future requirements. He said that all modern facilities including industrial estate, schools, colleges, hospitals and bus terminals would be provided under this project. He directed that Punjab Land Development Company should give a briefing regarding Aashiyana City within next seven days keeping in view all matters including feasibility, design, financial model and marketing.
The CM said that in the future, three-storey houses would be constructed on three marlas in all new Aashiyana Schemes so that maximum number of poor people could be benefited. He said that 500 more houses would be completed by September 15 in the first Aashiyana Housing Scheme whereas other houses are also being completed speedily. He said that besides Lahore, work is also in progress on Aashiyana Housing Schemes in Sahiwal, Sargodha, Jhelum and Faisalabad and applications have been invited for the allotment of houses in Sahiwal, Jhelum and Faisalabad.
He directed that planning should also be made for promotion of cottage industry in the schemes and a plan should be evolved in consultation with Tevta and Punjab Vocational Training Council so that male and female youth living in these schemes could be imparted various skills for earning respectable livelihood. He said that the best design should be selected for Aashiyana City at Burki Road and there should be multi approaches to the project for the convenience of the people.
Appreciating the services of Director Punjab Land Development Board, Kh. Mansoor for Aashiyana Housing Schemes, the chief minister said that his free services for the welfare project for the poor and the common are commendable. He also thanked Malik Riaz of Bahria Town for extending co-operation to the Punjab government for this project for the widows, and orphans and martyrs.
He directed to constitute a technical committee headed by Kh. Mansoor to submit its recommendations by considering all aspects regarding Aashiyana City. He said that Aashiyana-II is aimed at providing shelter to the poor and the common man and they will have to execute this project speedily. Issuing instructions for speeding up development work in the scheme, he said that Punjab Land Development Board should work on modern lines and in a professional manner for ensuring provision of modern facilities in these projects throughout the province.