ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that vast swathes of land in the environs of major cities could be used by constructing low-cost buildings to overcome the acute shortage of housing units.

The Prime Minister expressed these views in a meeting with a delegation of a Turkish construction company here at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan needs to learn from Turkey's experience in construction of housing sectors and the 0.6 million low-cost housing units for the middle income groups in last 10 years.

He said similar scheme could be introduced in Pakistan to provide houses and apartments for low-income people on subsidized rates and to the middle-income groups on actual cost.

He proposed using both sides of the Islamabad Expressway for this purpose.

The Prime Minister said self-sufficient and self-contained housing colonies should be built in the suburban areas connecting them with the city centers through fast transportation system.

He stressed preference be given to local architecture and design.

Ahmed Albayrak, head of the Turkish delegation said Turkey and Pakistan are friendly countries and also mentioned the support extended by the Muslims of sub-continent in 20th century in favour of their Turk brethren.

Albayrak said that Turkey has a rich experience in the field of housing which they were ready to share with Pakistan.