The government is likely to grant autonomous status to Pakistan Housing Foundation (PHA) with the objective of enabling it to make quick decisions in administrative, technical, legal and financial matters, sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday.
Giving the background, sources said that realising the critical shortage of housing in the country, a massive housing program, namely 'Mera Ghar, for construction of 500,000 housing units all over the country was launched through Prime Minister's Housing Authority (PMHA), established on May 18, 1999. PMHA was subsequently renamed as Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA).
A reference from Planning and Law Divisions is as follows: "The PHA, created through resolution, will not have the legal status of an autonomous body but it could just be considered to be a government department and its employees will be deemed to be the civil servants. If the PHA is intended to be given the status of an autonomous body then the legislative measures will have to be adopted and an Ordinance is required to be promulgated for this purpose as the parliament is presently suspended."
In his first speech on the floor of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister announced following measures for the welfare of citizens and government employees: (i) Schemes will be launched for construction of 1 million housing units; (ii) 5-marla schemes for homeless citizens in rural areas where government land is available, will be initiated; (iii) schemes for provision of flats and plots of 80 sq yds for homeless people in urban areas will be introduced; and (iv) provision for residential facilities to government employees so that a government servant can get a residential flat or house on retirement.
After due consultation with the boards of revenue of all provinces for earmarking suitable land for the mega housing project, PHA made a detailed presentation before the federal cabinet on 7th May, 2008.
PHA has been assigned the implementation of the Prime Minister's Housing Programme and allowed to perform its functions till a regular statutory body becomes operational. Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) has entered into legally binding contracts with different contractors, construction managers, financial/marketing/advertising/legal/property evaluating consultants in addition to thousands of customers/allottees. By virtue of the nature of its functions, Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) requires the status of an autonomous body for quick decisions-making in administrative, technical, legal & financial matters; provision of legal status/cover to all its actions required for execution of the given task.
Accordingly, the draft bill prepared in consultation with Establishment & Finance Divisions was provided to Law and Justice Division for vetting and it had advised to obtain approval, in principle, of the Cabinet and thereafter the same be sent to it for vetting. Sources said that the Ministry of Housing and Works has submitted a summary to the Cabinet, which is expected to be considered during the forthcoming meeting.