Construction and housing industry: ABAD demands comprehensive policy shift

Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) demanded a comprehensive policy shift in favour of construction and housing industry in the country in light of the regional realignment of priorities in industrial and manufacturing sectors.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, Mohsin Sheikhani, Chairman, Arif Siddik Vice-Chairman and Mohammad Saleem Kassim Patel, Chairman southern region, ABAD said the industry has potential to lift the national economy from its present standstill position towards a vibrant and forward looking outlook.
They said it has catalytic influence over about one hundred dependent-cum-allied industries including cement, steel, furniture, electrical and others and has potential of demand generation and capital attraction in various areas. It thus deserves extra incentives and attention. They emphasised that this is one industry with 'multiple arms' to lift the economy of the country. The frustration is compounded due to the lukewarm attitude of the various departments of the government, whether Federal or provincial.
They said that the issue should be addressed threadbare with the co-operation of ABAD and emerging issues be handled promptly keeping in mind its social, financial, administrative, economic points of view. They reiterated that housing and construction industry has the potentials within, extended resource base, and the 'know-how' to attract national and international direct finances towards it and all these factors can make grand shift to lift the national economy forthwith with just a little impetus from government side.
In neighbouring countries this industry is flourishing, for example, in India construction in housing industries share in GDP is more then 10 percent, whereas it is 2.4 percent in Pakistan. If we provide attention and incentive to the industry it can also contribute much higher percentage towards GDP.
They said that the piecemeal, lukewarm and passive to the point of delayed actions shall further lose whatever initiative has been left within the Industry. With all other sectors of economy struggling for survival due to their own reasons, the inattentive attitude of the government shall further harm construction and housing industry and in turn the whole economy.
They said construction and housing industry is the major stakeholders in growth-oriented-policy initiatives of economy and welfare of society and in turn demands fair play, proactive policy initiatives and prompt redressing of individual and collective complaints of builders. They said that ignoring the Industry shall result in more slumps, Katchi Abadies and safer inhabitation places for criminals and likes. They said ignoring construction and housing industry at this point of time is like ignoring our future generations and throwing them at the mercy of the people we are struggling against.
They hoped that Federal and Provincial government should consider these points in the national interest so that the housing shortage in the country is met promptly.-PR