Faisalabad: [ReNews Pakistan]
Divisional Commissioner Mussarat Jabeen has directed all relevant government departments to expedite the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and complete outstanding legal requirements for private housing schemes awaiting approval from the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA), aiming to accelerate development and improve public access to essential services.
The directives were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the commissioner to review the approval process for private housing schemes and identify the key factors causing delays.
During the meeting, FDA Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhary informed participants that a number of housing schemes remain pending because concerned departments have not yet issued the required NOCs or completed other mandatory legal formalities.
Commissioner Jabeen instructed all institutions involved in the approval process to strengthen coordination and treat pending NOCs and related documentation as a priority. She stressed that unnecessary delays in approvals not only slow down development but also prevent residents from receiving essential civic amenities such as electricity and natural gas connections.
She further directed the Deputy Commissioner to regularly monitor the progress of housing schemes under FDA review and ensure that issues delaying approvals are resolved without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
In addition to speeding up approvals, the commissioner emphasized the importance of public safety in private housing developments. She ordered authorities to ensure that all sewerage manholes are fitted with protective covers and that additional safety measures are implemented wherever required to prevent accidents.
Warning against negligence, Jabeen said strict action would be taken against any individual or department found responsible for incidents resulting in loss of life or property due to inadequate safety arrangements.
The meeting reflects the administration's broader effort to streamline the approval process for private housing projects, improve inter-departmental coordination, and ensure that new housing developments comply with legal and safety standards while delivering timely services to residents.

Faisalabad: [ReNews Pakistan]
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) have agreed to enhance institutional coordination and accelerate the processing of housing finance applications under the Prime Minister's Apna Ghar Scheme, aiming to make affordable home ownership more accessible for eligible citizens across the country.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting held at the FDA Complex in Faisalabad. The meeting was chaired by FDA Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhry and attended by SBP Chief Manager Fouzia Aslam, senior FDA officials, and representatives from commercial banks participating in the housing finance programme.
During the meeting, participants reviewed the current implementation of the scheme and agreed on a series of measures to improve efficiency. These include streamlining administrative procedures, strengthening inter agency coordination, and appointing dedicated focal persons from both the SBP and the FDA to ensure quicker processing of loan applications and prompt resolution of applicants' concerns.
Speaking at the meeting, SBP Chief Manager Fouzia Aslam said the Prime Minister's affordable housing initiative has received an encouraging response from the public. She revealed that more than 76,000 applications have been submitted nationwide during the past six months. Of these, over 18,000 applications have been approved, while financing has already been disbursed to more than 3,000 successful applicants, reflecting steady progress in the programme's implementation.
Under the Apna Ghar Scheme, eligible applicants can obtain housing finance of up to PKR 10 million at a subsidised annual markup rate of 5% for a repayment period of up to 10 years. The financing is available for the construction of houses on residential plots measuring up to 10 marlas, making home ownership more affordable for middle- and lower-income families.
FDA Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhry assured the State Bank and participating financial institutions of the authority's full administrative support.

Faisalabad: [ReNews Pakistan]
Punjab’s Rs 7.575 billion project to dualize the Faisalabad Chiniot Sargodha Road has entered its final phase, with authorities directed to complete the scheme within the stipulated timeframe while ensuring strict compliance with construction quality standards.
The progress of the project was reviewed during a meeting chaired by Punjab Minister for Communications and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth. Officials briefed the meeting that work on the dualization of the Faisalabad Chiniot Sargodha Road is progressing according to schedule.
According to the briefing, the 24 kilometre section from Kamalpur Interchange to Tehsil Chowk Chiniot is in its final stage. Asphalt work has been completed across the entire stretch, while lane marking, road signage, median construction and other finishing works are currently underway.
The provincial minister said that after completion, the project would provide safer, faster and more comfortable travel between Faisalabad, Chiniot and Sargodha. The dual carriageway is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce travel time and enhance road safety for both passengers and commercial vehicles.
Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth said the project is part of the Punjab government’s broader strategy to expand a modern, safe and durable road network across the province. He added that improved road infrastructure would support trade, industrial and agricultural activity, investment and the regional economy.
He said the Communications and Works Department is carrying forward development projects under the principles of transparency, quality and timely completion, with the objective of providing better travel facilities to the public and strengthening connectivity between different cities of Punjab.