Cadastral mapping important for eliminating encroachments and enhancing land revenues* : PM
Provinces should expedite legislation for stopping land-use changes and protection of green spaces* : PM
250,000 employment opportunities created so far since construction activities started under Naya Pakistan Housing program* : PM
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on Housing, Construction & Development to review the progress made on existing and new projects here today.
While receiving a briefing from Surveyor General of Pakistan Maj. Gen. Shahid Pervez, the Prime Minister remarked that Cadastral Mapping would help in development of an authentic land record database. It would help in clearly identifying demarcation of land and thereby eliminate illegal encroachments, added the PM. Moreover, the authentic database would also contribute towards enhancing revenues received from lands, stated the PM.
The Prime Minister further said that “land-use changes need to be checked where green vegetation areas are being converted to urban projects”. He advised all the provincial and AJ&K Governments to expedite legislation to put a stop to land-use changes. The Prime Minister stated that protection of green spaces and agricultural lands is essential for environmental considerations and to safeguard food security. However, construction projects would be allowed under regulations.
The NCC meeting was briefed that, under Phase-I of the mapping exercise, 90 % digitization of State Lands has been completed in Punjab, 96% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 50% in Balochistan. Chairman CDA informed that with the help of Cadastral Maps, CDA has started imposition of fines on encroachers and the amount collected is being used for compensation of general masses who were defrauded by illegal housing societies.
The NCC meeting was attended by Federal Minister Fawad Ahmed, Minister of State Farrukh Habib, SAPM Dr. Shehbaz Gill, SAPM Malik Amin Aslam, Minister Local Govt. Punjab Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, MNA Aftab Siddiqui, Chairman Naya Pakistan Housing & Development Authority Lt. Gen. (R) Anwar Ali Haider, Chairman FBR, Surveyor General of Pakistan, and senior officers. Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh and AJ&K; and ACS Khyber Pakhtunkhwa joined the meeting via video link.
Earlier the Prime Minister also chaired a meeting to review progress on Ravi Urban Development Project and Central Business District Lahore. The Prime Minister directed the concerned authorities to expedite progress as these projects are very important for attracting Foreign Direct Investment in the Country.Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan and Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan also joined the NCC meeting via video link.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a review meeting on Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) and Central Business District (CBD), Walton.
The Prime Minister said,”Both RUDA and CBD are flagship real estate projects of the Government to promote smart, self-sustaining, clean and green housing and business activities in the country.”
“These projects are very crucial for attracting foreign investment in the country to spur economic and business activities.” He added.
The Prime Minister reiterated that especially RUDA is very important for the sustainability of Lahore city by protecting its environment and under ground water table.
The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to plan a massive media communication strategy to educate people on the importance and benefits of these two mega real estate projects, especially RUDA, for a sustainable growth of Lahore city.
The Prime Minister also directed t to resolve various legal issues hampering the successful implementation of these projects.
Earlier, CEO RUDA briefed the Prime Minister that the development work on roads and sewage infrastructure projects in Central Business District (CBD) is in full swing. Not only 98% work on trees relocation has been accomplished but around 5000 new trees are also being planted in the area.
The Prime Minister was also apprised that Bab-e-Pakistan Project on 122 acres of land in Walton, Lahore is being developed with an investment of 500 Million USD. by a Saudi company
under a Joint Venture (JV) revenue-sharing model. Moreover, CBD is all set to sign agreement to attract foreign investment worth 250 Million USD during the ongoing Dubai Expo.
The management of Central Business District (CBD) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has also signed an agreement to develop Commercial District on under-utilised land of Lahore Airport under a revenue-sharing model.
The development of Industrial Estate and Rakh Jhok Forest are also underway.
The meeting was attended by Information Minister Ch, Fawad Hussain, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Farrukh Habib, SAPM on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill, Punjab Local Government Minister Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, Chairman Naya Pakistan Housing & Development Authority (NAPHDA) Lt Gen Anwar Ali Haider (Retd), Advocate General Punjab Ahmed Awais, CEO RUDA Imran Amin and other senior officers concerned.
Punjab Housing Minister Malik Asad Khokhar, Advisor to CM Punjab Dr Salman Shah, Chief Secretary Punjab and other officers concerned from Punjab joined the meeting via video link.