Report: (Govt to spend around Rs18bn during current fiscal year to address urbanization issues)

ISLAMABAD: The government will spend around Rs18 billion during the current fiscal year for physical planning and housing sector programmes to address the increasing urbanization issues and challenges.

According to a report quoting an official document, Pakistan has the highest rate of urbanization in South Asia and as per Population Census of 2017; urbanization had increased from 32.52 percent to 36.38 percent during 1998 to 2017.

The federal government has also announced relief packages for construction and agriculture sectors and a subsidy of Rs30 billion under Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme.

The provincial governments also announced relief packages for vulnerable people and exemption in taxes.

In addition, the Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority (NAPHDA) had been established for undertaking Prime Minister’s Programme for construction of five million affordable houses to the general public.

Special relief package for construction industry had been announced by the government to boost construction activity.