First time in the history of Pakistan, Ashiana Housing Scheme for the low income families was planned where thousands of flats have been constructed and this is the beginning of development and delight for the citizens; The Punjab Province is in the midst of a profound urban transition, driven by structural economic change. It is transforming from an agriculturally-based economy to a manufacturing and service based economy, which shows the determination of Shahbaz Sharif to transform the lives of Pakistanis.
LAHORE Aug 30 (TNS): Land and Urban development in Punjab has been under tremendous pressure from uncontrolled urban sprawl, deteriorating environment, deficiencies in basic services, shortages in the provision of housing, and absence of properly developed areas for economic activity, industrial estates, technology parks and related infrastructure. This scenario led Shahbaz Sharif to tackle all these problems.
Deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration of shelter and human settlement especially for the low income group, the honorable Chief Minister of the Punjab Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif envisioned Punjab Land Development Company Limited (PLDC) to respond to the challenge with immediate interventions in the areas of affordable housing.
The mission of Land and Urban development in Punjab is to develop a coordinated system of human settlements in Punjab that respects the environment and values Punjab’s precious land resource. A system that facilitates economic growth, provides adequate housing (especially for the poor), promotes social wellbeing and encourages a prosperous and responsible citizenship.
The Ashiana Housing Scheme was started in Punjab to provide housing to the poor. First time in the history of Pakistan the housing scheme for the low income families was planned where thousands of flats have been constructed and this is the beginning of development and delight for the citizens.
In the first phase Ashiana-e-Iqbal, Barki Road Lahore was established near Lahore airport DHA where 64 thousand allotment applications were received.
Ashiana e Iqbal is facilitated with schools, parks, mosque wide roads, commercial area, health club and community centers facilities.
The flats consist of one and 2 bedrooms and the cost is approximately Rs1.2 million and the sizes of the flats are 500 and 700 square foot respectively.
Monthly installment for the flats is just Rs8000 which is free interest. Transport facility is also available for the residents.
Ashiana Housing Scheme in Sahiwal has also been completed where 126 houses of 3 Marla and 100 plots of 5 Marla exist.
In Faisalabad, the Ashiana scheme has been completed where 108 3 Marla houses and 100 plots of 5 Marla exist.
In Ashiana-e-Quaid Lahore the construction of the 2247 houses is completed, 321 families are already residing and 745 houses are under construction.
The Planning and Development Department, Government of Punjab is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring proper and planned growth of urban areas with adequate infrastructure, amenities and services to the citizen. The Department is mandated to frame policies, prepare plans and schemes for the growth of the urban areas as well as creation of investment opportunities by accelerating economic growth of cities and towns.
It is the principal planning organization at the provincial level. It coordinates and monitors development programs and activities of various departments of the provincial government. The department also prepares an overall Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF) of developmental activities in the province. The Medium Term Development Framework lays down the developmental activities to be carried out in the province in various sectors of the provincial economy. In this manner, the Planning & Development Department is one of the main actors in the growth of the economic potential of the province.
The mandate of the Planning & Development Department includes provision of technical support and coordination to various Government departments in their planning activities. The department is also the main government agency working with foreign donors in the province.
The Punjab Province in Pakistan is in the midst of a profound urban transition, driven by structural economic change. It is transforming from an agriculturally-based economy to a manufacturing and service based economy, which is leading to massive urbanization. This transformation will continue over the next decade.
According to the World Bank’s Development Data Platform (DDP) database (2006), urban based manufacturing and service sectors composed 77 percent of the Pakistan’s GDP in 2003 and experienced more than 90 percent of GDP growth during 1999 – 2003. As the Province economy continues to expand and modernize, it is estimated that the process of urbanization shall continue at a strong pace over the coming years.
Under the urban development department, Kasur development project was started in 2009 and completed in 2014 at the cost of Rs2272.796 million.
In 2015 the Punjab Urban Drainage, P.C.C. & Brick Pavement Scheme Kasur City was initiated at the cost of Rs457.681 million, where 750817 people were facilitated.
In 2005 Water supply project from Jehlum to Murree was initiated and completed in 2013 at the cost of Rs4254.77 million and Gujrat water supply system was completed at the cost of 684.050.
At the cost of Rs479.335 million urban water supply and sewerage scheme was initiated in Khoshab Joharabad and which is expected to complete by 2018.
Faisalabad water supply system was improved in 2010-2013 at the cost of Rs4149 million.
Urban water supply project has been completed in Toba Teksingh at the cost of Rs884.510 million and another water supply project was accomplished at the cost of Rs426.211million. In Gojra TobaTeksingh urban water scheme at the cost of Rs496.396 and the extension of urban sewerage scheme was also initiated at the cost of Rs409.846.
In district Chiniot the sewerage scheme was initiated at the cost of Rs719.752 million.
For the improvement of traffic system the road for Islamabad international airport has been extended at the cost of Rs1222 million. The metro bus Rawalpindi was established at the cost of Rs44940 million and the third part audit was done by NESPAK.
In Multan sewerage lines was improved at the cost of 1000.213 milion from 2013-2017.
In Attock and Okara clean water scheme was initiated in 2015 and will be completed by the year 2018.
In Pakpatan and Arifwala the clean water supply and sewerage projects were completed in 2009 at the cost of Rs643.061million.
