TOKI will assist in construction of 50 thousand low cost houses in Punjab

Lahore: An agreement was signed between Punjab government and a renowned Turkish housing sector institution, here today, under which, Housing Development Administration Turkey (TOKI) will provide technical assistance for construction of 50 thousand low cost houses in Punjab.

According to the agreement, Turk institution will provide technical assistance to Punjab government for construction of 25 thousand houses in 2016 and further 25 thousand houses in 2017. Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest of agreement signing ceremony at Model Town.

Provincial Minister for Housing Tanvir Aslam Malik signed the agreement on behalf of Punjab government while President of the institution Mehmet Ergun Turan on behalf of TOKI. Turk Ambassador in Pakistan S. Babur Girgin was also present on the occasion.

Talking to the media on the occasion, Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that the agreement between Punjab Government and the prominent Turk public housing sector is a welcome step.  He said that under the leadership of Turk President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, houses were given to lakhs of Turk people belonging to low segment and the renowned Turk institution TOKI has constructed eight to nine lakh houses during last 15 years and this institution also intends to construct five lakh more houses during next five years.

The Chief Minister said that under this model of Turkey, houses have been provided to lakhs of homeless Turk people.  He said that under this model, houses are given on easy installments. He said that this Turk model is very popular and successful in other countries including Turkey.

Shahbaz Sharif said that he is highly thankful on the arrival of the delegation of TOKI and Pakistan is their second home. He said that we will benefit from their experience in housing sector.

The Chief Minister said that he is also thankful to Turk President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who have sent Turk institution for our help. He said that there is lack of low cost housing schemes for poor people in Pakistan and Punjab. He said that residential schemes have been prepared for rich and elite but no one thought for common man. He said that Punjab Government started Aashiyana housing schemes for such great Pakistanis in which hundreds of houses have been built for homeless people.

He said that energy crisis is the biggest challenge of Pakistan. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, work is being carried out round the clock for overcoming energy crisis and as he is also a member of Energy Committee, therefore, some gap occurred in Aashiyana Housing Schemes. He said that work has been started on energy projects speedily throughout Pakistan and with the completion of these projects, thousands of megawatt electricity will be added to national grid.

Shahbaz Sharif said that now we will have to pay attention to low cost housing schemes and forward low cost housing schemes speedily for the provision of roof to homeless people. For this purpose, today an agreement has been signed with Turk institution TOKI and we will fully benefit from its experience with regard to planning of housing schemes, he added. The Chief Minister said that Turk institution will extend all out assistance through its experience like brother, friend and persons of a family and by adopting its model, we will provide roof to such great Pakistanis who are deprived of this facility in the country.

He said that we want to construct 50 thousand houses within two years and will benefit from the experiences of Turk institution regarding financial model, management, technology, administrative model and best use of land for low cost housing schemes. He said that we will speedily forward low cost housing schemes.

He thanked Provincial Minister for Housing Tanvir Aslam Malik, Secretary Housing, Secretary Local Government and other officials of Punjab government who have made efforts with regard to supporting and providing own roof to common man.

Provincial Minister for Housing Tanvir Aslam Malik, President Turk institution TOKI Mehmet Ergun Turan and Turk Ambassador S. Babur Girgin also spoke on the occasion. In his address, President TOKI said that experiences of the institution regarding low cost housing schemes will be transferred to Punjab government and it will extend full cooperation to Punjab government in this regard.

He said that the meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was very useful and we agreed to enhance technical cooperation with Punjab government regarding construction of low cost houses. He said that we will share our experiences with Punjab government in this regard.

Earlier, a high level delegation led by President Housing Development Administration (TOKI) Turkey Mehmet Ergun Turan called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and the delegation evinced keen interest in cooperation in housing sector of Punjab.

Talking to the delegation, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan and Turkey are tied in deep cultural, historic and brotherly relations and hearts of people of both the countries beat together. He said that Turkey has supported Pakistan in every test of trail.

Shahbaz Sharif said that technical cooperation by Housing Development Administration Turkey regarding construction of low cost houses will be welcomed. He said that Punjab government will provide all out facilities in this regard.

President TOKI conveyed the message of good wishes on behalf of Turk President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu for Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Speaking on the occasion, President TOKI said that his institution is ready to extend technical assistance to Punjab government in housing sector.

Turk Ambassador in Pakistan S. Babur Girgin, Provincial Minister for Housing Tanvir Aslam Malik, Kh. Ahmed Hasaan, Shaukat Tareen, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Local Government, Chairman Planning & Development, concerned officials and senior officials of TOKI were also present on the occasion.