PM approves industry status for construction sector

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said declaring construction sector as an industry was imperative for its promotion and that the government was giving special emphasis on simplifying construction-related laws and do away with the condition of unnecessary approvals and no-objection certificates (NoCs).

The prime minister observed this while chairing a meeting on ease of doing business in construction sector here at the Prime Minister Office. Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Chairman Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Lt Gen (R) Anwar Ali Haider, Board of Investment Chairman Syed Zubair Gillani, Secretary Housing Dr Imran Zeb and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The prime minister said the government was giving special emphasis to simplify construction-related laws and do away with the condition of unnecessary approvals and NOCs. He also pointed out that the government had already abolished the condition of seeking approvals from the Civil Aviation and other organisations for construction of multi-storey buildings in big cities.

He said the establishment of land courts would also go a long way in resolving land related matters. Anwar Ali Haider briefed the prime minister about steps being taken to address policy issues, simplification of procedures, abolishment of unnecessary approvals, compliance of zoning and development by-laws and other relevant issues.

He presented short, medium and long-term roadmap for improving ease of doing business in construction sector. He said that latest technology was being introduced to ensure transparency and simplify the procedures in the construction industry.

The Naya Pakistan Housing Authority chairman said that in the first phase, the land record would be digitalised in big cities. He said that under the long-term plan, land record will be digitalised in the entire country. He added that this process would ensure online availability of the land record and address most of the land-related matters.

The CDA chairman briefed the prime minister about automated client service centre being launched in the federal capital. He said introduction of this service will facilitate the residents of the federal capital regarding matters pertaining to the CDA and help check corruption and other illegal practices.