THIS refers to the letter ‘Housing societies’ (Feb 16). I fully support the views expressed therein. There are housing societies that have collected billions of rupees from the public for decades, but have failed to provide plots of land.

For example, I am a member of the Ministry of Interior Cooperative Housing Society and have paid all the dues long ago, but have been waiting for the land for the last 25 years. A few members have only been given the possession of the land, but for majority of the members even the land has not been purchased.

Another housing society is the IBECHS Gulberg Residentia, Islamabad, where my wife purchased a plot of land in block B six years ago. She is still waiting for the possession of her land. The society does not even reply to her letters now.

The housing societies say that the last installment is to be paid by the member “at the time of possession of plot of land”. The exact duration is not written, so it may last from five years to 50 years or more.

The public should be careful while booking land, house or apartment where the developer does not mention the period after which one should expect to get possession of the purchased property.

The societies are trying to sabotage the prime minister’s vision of bringing a revolution in the housing sector. If a federal and private housing societies’ authority is established with powers to ensure that the various projects are completed within a stipulated time, this will boost the housing sector tremendously.

Without investing any money, the government will be able to create hundreds of thousands of plots of land in Islamabad. The same will be the case in the provinces. I hope the government will look into the matter and solve the people’s problems related to housing societies.

Prof Jawaid Mohsin Malik

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2021