Prime Minister's Low Cost Housing Scheme: Housing Ministry fails to construct a single unit

The Ministry of Housing and Works failed to construct a single low cost house for poor under Prime Minister's Low Cost Housing Scheme launched in 2013 annual budget. The sub-committee of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was informed on Wednesday that Rs 3 billion announced in 2013 annual budget for construction of low houses remained unspent.
Convener of the committee Naveed Qamar questioned the performance of Ministry of Housing and Works and sought details of progress being made on construction of houses. Director General National Housing Authority said the Prime Minister's vision was on implementation stage. They directed provinces to acquire land for the project. The PC-1s were prepared and a summary was moved for further funds and launching of the housing project.
The committee also expressed dismay over poor performance of Ministry of Housing in provision of record to audit department and referred to PAC for taking appropriate action.
The audit report pointed out that according to 1998 census, total number of housing units throughout the country were 19.3 million out of which 67.7 percent were in rural areas and 32.3 percent in urban areas. Thus, there was a housing backlog of 4.3 million units. In this regard, annual additional requirement is estimated around 570,000 housing units whereas annual production has been estimated at 300,000 housing units resulting in a recurring shortfall of 270,000 units per annum. Keeping all the above facts in view the Ministry of Housing and Works announced a national housing policy 2001. So far only 22,000 houses have been constructed under the policy.