Imran Khan performs the groundbreaking of Farash Town apartments in Islamabad under the 'Naya Pakistan Housing Programme' on Thursday. Twitter photo

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

Prime Minister Imran Khan performed the groundbreaking of Farash Town apartments in Islamabad under the “Naya Pakistan Housing Programme” on Thursday.

Addressing the ceremony, he said the project envisaging construction of 2,000 flats is aimed at providing shelter to the underprivileged segments of the society including workers and labourers. He said he will soon perform groundbreaking of peri-urban housing society for the farmers.

Imran said a plan has also been prepared to convert the slums and equip them with the modern facilities including that of sanitation and sewerage. He said the slum dwellers will be given houses on proprietary rights.

He said the mortgage facility has been introduced to provide loans to the people on easy installments so that they could construct the houses. He said negotiations are continuing with the banks to remove any impediments.

The prime minister regretted that the economy was mismanaged in the past. He said such loans were taken in the past, which instead of wealth creation further increased the burden of loans.

Imran Khan prays after inauguration of Farash Town in Islamabad.

Imran said the government is focusing on wealth creation projects to retire the country's debt. He said these include Ravi City and Central Business District in Lahore whilst negotiations are being held with the Sindh government to develop the Bundal Island. He was confident that these projects will attract massive investments.

He said the projects to be executed under “Naya Pakistan Housing Programme” will also uplift the thirty industries allied with the construction sector.

The premier expressed satisfaction over increased activity in the construction industry. He pointed out that the cement sale remained at record level last year while growth has also been witnessed in the tax collection, which indicates the business activity has increased in the country.

Imran said it is the first time that the country's textile industry is witnessing a record boom.  He said the small and medium enterprises will also be uplifted to increase their share in the economy.

He said we have envisaged upgradation of railway line from Karachi to Peshawar. He said negotiations are also continuing to take the train service to the Central Asian States to promote regional trade.