ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: The Ministry of Housing and Works has proposed to develop over 5,000 flats at sector I-11 with a cost of Rs28 billion, on a land currently owned by Pakistan Railways.

According to a press release issued by the prime minister secretariat, the Secretary Housing, Kamran Lashari briefed premier Raja Pervez Ashraf that nearly 3,500 to 5,000 flats are proposed to be constructed in sector I-11 on a land spread over 50 acres owned by Pakistan Railways. The total cost of project is estimated at Rs28 billion.

Approving the project in principal, the prime minister constituted a task force comprising representatives of Housing, Railways, Finance and Capital Development (CDA) for assessing the price of land and directed the task force to present its recommendations within a week.

Dilating on the present precarious housing situation, the secretary informed the prime minister that nearly 28,000 housing units were available for government servants against a total demand of 50,000.

The prime minister in his observations during the meeting said that prima-facie the project seems feasible.

“We need to work out a criteria for allotment of flats, ensure their construction according to international standards and affordability” the premier was quoted in the handout.

The prime minister also said that the government is cognizant of the acute shortage of housing facilities for government servants in the capital.