KARACHI: The Government especially President Asif Ali Zardari is very keen to promote housing and construction sector in the country in pursuance of Pakistan People Party (PPP) mission to provide housing to every family at lowest possible price.
This was stated by the Sindh Minister for Local Government, Agha Siraj Khan Durrani.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at annual dinner of Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) here on Wednesday, the Minister said that majority of the Building and Construction companies were based in Karachi which have made visible change in the life of people of the city.
He urged the ABAD members to focus other areas of Sindh province also where a large population was looking for low cost housing units.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari had directed him to take special care of builders and constructors to strengthen this industry to help the common man have a better housing besides generating an economic activity. Many other industries directly or indirectly dependent on this potential industry, he said.
He mentioned that PPP Government had already provided various incentives and big relief to builders and constructors including revision of the related laws to make their business secure and lucrative.
Sindh Assembly has already passed a bill on encroachment and the law is being enforced to clear all kind of encroachments including on the land for housing projects. Anti-encroachment Force has formed to effectively pursue the agenda, he said adding that this could be done only with cooperation of the people.
Durrani assured them all-out support and facilitation on his behalf and that of his Department and the Government in resolution of the problems facing housing and construction industry especially the members of ABAD.
On the demand from Chairman ABAD Babar Mirza Chughtai, the Minister also directed the issuance of notification bringing amendments in " Builder-Buyer Agreement".
We also helped you to go for high rise buildings, he added.
When ABAD Chief pointed that builders were being charged with certain taxes applied on service providers, he assured that he would raise the issue with Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and hoped it would be resolved.
He said, however, the Government wanted to promote standard construction in the greater interest of the people and the country.
Agha Siraj Ahmed Durrani appealed ABAD members to contribute generously in the relief and rehabilitation of millions of people in the province affected badly by the recent torrential rains and the flood.
" We do not want cash. You may give basic items of daily use and food stuff in packets or bags," he explained.
He acknowledged that the builders had always helped the people to cope with natural calamities in the past.
He said that 90 percent Government's efforts/activities were diverted to relief and rehabilitation of flood victims.
He underlined the need for targeted and collective efforts for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit people of Sindh.
He appealed the people to do all possible for their brothern disturbed by the recent torrential rains and flood.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011
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