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Federal Minister for Housing and Works Rehmatullah Kakar said the massive destruction had served to increase the shortage of housing units from 10 million to 13.5 million.
The crisis may deepen because the worst calamity in Pakistan’s history is far from being over. A survey about the recent damages is in progress.
It has also been learnt that the ministry of housing and works is preparing briefing on the damages caused to houses by the continuing floods.
The minister said they also planned to reconstruct the destroyed houses on emergency basis in collaboration with the UN agencies and other donor organisations.
He said that an approval for the purpose would be sought from the cabinet soon. He said that people whose houses were washed away in the floods were passing through extreme anxiety.
They have lost everything and it will be very difficult for them to start reconstruction of their shelters themselves.
The ministry of housing has, therefore, planned to assist affected people especially those whose houses were completely damaged.
The minister said that partially-damaged houses would be rebuilt and repaired by the owners themselves after getting some compensation.
He said that dozens of foreign companies had shown interest in construction activities in Pakistan.
He said that two firms of Canada and Germany would invest $500 million in the construction sector and they were likely to start work within two months.
-by Bakhtawar Mian
