Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani Thursday inaugurated Housing Scheme for low paid employees of the country. Addressing the opening ceremony, he said he is extremely thankful to Almighty Allah for choosing him to realise the vision of our great leaders Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, to work for the cause of poor people especially the neglected sections of the society.
"In my first speech at the National Assembly, I assured the nation that the democratically elected government is committed to provide affordable homes to the poor and the low income groups of our society", he said. This programme would include introduction of 5-marla schemes for shelter-less people in the rural areas, flats and 80-square yard plots for homeless people in the urban and rural areas besides providing a house or an apartment to government employees on or before retirement.
"My Government is also taking steps to provide cross subsidies to make housing facilities affordable for low income groups and low paid government employees. The banking sector and Micro credit institutions shall also provide mortgage finance on affordable terms to the poorest segment of our society", he added.
Prime Minister said the concerned ministries such as Ministry of Housing and Works, Finance and FBR etc have been directed to encourage and facilitate local and foreign builders as well as provincial governments by providing fiscal, sectoral and regularity incentives.
He said the housing sector has already been reshaped in to a full-fledged industry which will not only generate employment opportunities but would also be our mainstay for revival of economy due to its linkages with the concerned upstream and downstream and indigenous industries.
MoUs have been signed with multinational companies as well as with countries like UAE, Canada, Germany, USA, Malaysia, China and Egypt to build housing facilities under this programme. These MoUs will serve as guidelines to bring direct foreign investment to Pakistan. Prime Minister said as you know these projects are in continuity with the fulfilment of promises pledged by the PPP government to provide masses with basic amenities of living.