Islamabad: The Ministry of Housing and Construction has decided to draft a new National Housing Policy 2025 by updating the existing policy from 2001, as reported on October 9.
As per details, the ministry has reached out to the World Bank and the United Nations Mission in Pakistan for assistance in formulating the new policy. Sources indicate that the World Bank has expressed a willingness to collaborate, requesting the ministry to submit terms of reference (TORs) for engaging a consultant firm to assist in the policy’s development. The Ministry of Housing has completed these TORs and sent them to the World Bank, with a meeting anticipated soon to finalize further details.
The ministry emphasises that a new national housing policy is crucial for fostering sustainable development within Pakistan’s housing sector and addressing the pressing challenges it currently faces. The country is experiencing a significant housing crisis, particularly in urban areas. Notably, Balochistan alone suffered extensive damage during the 2022 floods, with 192,000 homes affected.
The primary objective of the upcoming policy is to alleviate the housing shortage, ensure affordable housing options across all cities, and tackle the issue of informal settlements, which account for 47% of housing situations in the country. Additionally, the new policy aims to stimulate growth in the housing sector, thereby generating employment opportunities and contributing to the overall economic development of Pakistan.
