‘Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar’ plan approved

LAHORE:The first governing body meeting of PHATA (Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency) for the current year was held under the chairmanship of Minister for Housing, Urban Development, and Public Health Engineering, Bilal Yasin.

This marked the 101st meeting, attended by Secretary Housing Captain (R) Asadullah Khan, PHATA Director General Sikandar Zeeshan, and other members. During the meeting, 20 agenda items were presented, including the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Rules 2024’. Approval was granted for the ‘Apni Zameen, ApnaGhar’ programme aimed at providing free three-marla plots. Amendments to the PHATA Land Use Rules 2017, proposals regarding recovery fees, and IT-based reforms to modernise PHATA were also approved. Immediate steps were directed concerning E-FoS, PLAS, World Bank projects, and digitisation of land records. The meeting also decided to recover compensation for regularised properties and to reclaim encroached PHATA land. Furthermore, regulations for affordable private housing schemes were approved, with private developers and PHATA to jointly work on the affordable housing programme. It was decided that instead of using PHATA’s old administrative divisions, official matters will now be conducted according to the new districts issued by the Board of Revenue. Proposed amendments to new PHATA rules, regulations, and ordinances/acts will also be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

Minister Bilal Yasin stated that, on the directions of the chief minister, every possible resource is being provided to offer free housing facilities to underprivileged families. He added that reforms and amendments to laws are essential for improving institutional performance and represent a positive step forward.