Naya Pakistan Housing to help realize shelter's dream for poor

ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):The registration process for "Naya Pakistan Housing Programme" has started amid long queues of people were witnessed here on Monday outside registration centres of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

Minister of State for Interior, Shehryar Khan Afridi, who inaugurated Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Registration Center at NADRA Mega Centre Blue Area, said the target of government was to ensure provision of five million affordable houses for underprivileged classes during next five years.

Talking to media persons, the minister expressed the confidence that the programme would not only help realize dream of a shelter for the poor, but also create ample employment opportunities.

It will also attract local and foreign investment and stimulate about 40 related industries, he added.

Shehryar Afridi said the poor people were deprived of their basic rights in past, but present government of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) would ensure protection of their rights.

Highlighting the basic idea of this housing scheme, he said, it would help materialize dream of the poor about owning their house.

The minister said the country needs around 10 million housing units and to achieve the target, there is a need to build at-least 0.5 million units every year at a reasonable price.

He said the masses would be facilitated through one-window services, adding the government has started this much awaited mega housing project within its 100-day plan.

Replying to a question, Shehryar Afridi said as compared to 2013, the PTI has secured votes more than double during 2018 elections.

In Federal Capital, the registration forms can be submitted at NADRA Mega Centre in Blue Area, Deputy Commissioner Office G-11/4 and Tehsil Office I-10/3 whilst in other districts, these could be submitted at Deputy Commissioner offices.

On October 11, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the ambitious housing scheme which envisages construction of five million affordable houses for under privileged segments of the society during next five years.

The National Database Registration Authority issued the form on its website with all required details needed for registration.

The aspirants can download forms and can submit them with respective housing programme offices till December 21, 2018 with Rs 250 fee.

Initially seven cities have been identified for the scheme which include Sukkur, Quetta, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, Swat, Islamabad and Faisalabad. The government has also included more cities including Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala, Jhelum, Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Kasur, Layyah, Vehari and Rahim Yar Khan.

UNHCR Pakistan Head greatly appreciates the compassion with which Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for the last four decades

The representative in Pakistan for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Ms. Ruven Menikdiwela called on Minister of state for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi today in Islamabad.

In the meeting, matters related to refugees issues came under discussion. 

UNHCR Pakistan Head greatly appreciated the compassion with which Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for the last four decades. 

Minister of State said that we value the contribution of UNHCR towards humanity. Particularly, UNHCR played a crucial role for rehabilitation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

State Minister stressed that it is our ultimate objective as a responsibile nation to serve the humanity.

Minister of State also stated that our achievements and successes   in War on Terror and    hosting refugees have not been fully appreciated across the globe.

He also said that Interior Ministry will go extra mile to support UNHCR in the interest of humanity.

State Minister also said that UNHCR in collaboration with Government of Pakistan should take steps to highlight the Afghan  refugees issue in Pakistan. 

He added that the world community has not rendered the  due importance to the refugees issue in Pakistan in the recent past.

UNHCR representative said that Pakistan is the second Muslim country in the world that is hosting 1. 4 million Afghan refugees. She also assured that UNHCR will continue to support and assist Pakistan in resolution of refugees issue.

US envoy discusses bilateral relations with interior minister

ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):Ambassador of United States of America to Pakistan Paul Jones Monday called on Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi and discussed issues pertaining to bilateral relations.

The minister said that Pak-US relations had historical importance and Pakistan would continue its efforts for maintaining peace in the world.

He apprised the US envoy about the sacrifices of Pakistan in war against terrorism. The ambassador said that the United States regarded Pakistan�s efforts against terrorism.

The minister said Pakistan's ultimate objective as a responsible nation was to serve the humanity.

The overseas Pakistanis, he said, were playing an effective role in different parts of the world.

The minister said that minorities were enjoying their rights in the country.

PTI govt believes in regular interaction with business community

KARACHI, Oct 15 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi on Monday said the PTI government believed in regular interaction with the business community and he would maintain

regular contact with the Karachi businessmen in person or through the high officials of organizations and agencies working under his ministry.

He was here on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan without any invitation and  would be visiting in future too to get their input for better working of the organizations under his

ministry as the private sector was the main stakeholder in the country's development, he said while addressing the leadership and members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

KCCI President Junaid Ismail Makda and former presidents Siraj Kassam Teli, who is also chairman of the Businessmen Group in the chamber, A Q Khalil, Anjum Nisar, Muffasar Malik and Abdullah

Zaki were prominent among those who were present on the occasion.

Afridi said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership and the government realized that peace of mind to the business community with sense of security of their lives and property was imperative for

bringing economic prosperity and development in the country.

It was committed to improve law and order, besides provision of a conducive business environment, he added.

The minister said all the stakeholders, including the common people, businessmen and industrialists would have to create sense of ownership and the government could not implement its economic and

social agenda without  consultation with them.

"We will give you due weightage and will not take any important decision regarding trade, industry and investment without your input," Afridi assured.

He said some 18 departments and organizations, including Federal Investigation Agency, Rangers, Coast Guards, Immigration, NADRA and others, were operating under his ministry, whose senior officers would be visiting KCCI to help solve the issues being faced by the business community.

He said the PTI government wanted to strengthen the national institutions, which had been destroyed by the past regimes. He said the PTI came into power with an agenda of 35 points, three of which pertained to his ministry - execution of the National Action Plan, National Security and Respect to the Citizens.

He said as mentioned by the KCCI leaders that a prosperous Karachi was must for the country's prosperity. The mega city had great economic potential. Karachi was  like a motherly city, where from every part of the country came to earn their livelihood, he added. The minister said the PTI government was making all efforts to promote national solidarity and unity, and transform Pakistan into a true welfare Muslim state as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said the federal government was extending full cooperation and support to the provinces. Afridi said he would meet Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah later in the day. He wished to have a meeting with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as well for mutual understanding and to make joint efforts for the socio-economic uplift of the province. He said the national economy was in a shambles and the government had no option but to approach the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package. The PTI government, he said, was fully

alive to the problems of the common man, who found it very difficult to even fulfill their basic needs. Indirect taxes on each and every item, including those used in kitchens, was a serious issue and the government would explore different options to provide relief to the common people, he added. He urged the media to continue projecting the soft image of Pakistan before the world.

 Earlier, KCCI President Junaid Ismail Makda and leaders briefed the minister about the issues confronting the trade and industry in Karachi.