ISLAMABAD, May 8: Infrastructure development is crucial for improving the global competitiveness ranking of Pakistan, said Chief Executive of the Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) Arthur Bayhan here on Tuesday.

He was making presentation to the Ministry of Housing and Works on the indicators relevant to the housing sector.

The presentation was part of the CSF’s initiative to bring all the line ministries on board to improve Pakistan’s ranking on the global competitiveness index of the World Economic Forum.

CSF is a joint initiative of ministry of finance and USAID. Support for Competitiveness Support Fund is part of the $1.5 billion in aid that the US government is providing to Pakistan over five years to improve economic growth, education, health and governance.

Pakistan has to adopt innovative housing solutions for its growing middle class.

This will not only create value for the growing number of hardworking population but will also address growing demand for appropriate infrastructure for a viable economy, Mr Bayhan added.

Secretary Housing and Works Abdul Rauf Chaudhary informed the CSF delegation that his ministry had launched the national housing policy in 2001 and it was now coordinating with Central Board of Revenue and the provincial governments on various issues concerning the housing sector.

He also said the ministry was undertaking initiatives to provide appropriate housing for the low income groups.

We will be launching projects of up to 15,000 flats for the government employees soon in Islamabad. Similar projects in Lahore, Karachi and other cities are in the pipeline, he added.

The CEO of Competitiveness Support Fund elaborated the rational behind the indicators and pointed out that the data used for these indicators was not up-to-date.

He said housing ministry had a crucial role in setting standards for the infrastructure development.

Pakistan scores well overall in terms of infrastructure quality and notable progress in building infrastructure will continue. However, recent problems in supply and reliability of electricity need to be addressed.