ISLAMABAD – A delegation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) called on Federal Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada at his office in the Ministry of Housing and Works on Thursday. The delegation included Hong Soo, Senior Housing Specialist from ADB Headquarters, and Mian Shaukat Shafi, Unit Head Urban/Lead Officer at ADB’s Pakistan Resident Mission. The meeting focused on exploring avenues of mutual cooperation, particularly the establishment of a Land Data Bank, which the ministry aims to develop for comprehensive information on federal assets, with special emphasis on prime land holdings across the country.
Welcoming the delegation, the minister thanked ADB team for their cooperation in key areas to uplift the housing and real estate sector in Pakistan. While emphasizing the importance of ADB’s technical and financial support, minister underlined the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency, optimal utilization of resources, and attracting investment through modern data-driven systems. Secretary Housing, Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh highlighted that the purpose of the Land Data Bank is to compile accurate and accessible data on the federal government assets. He explained that much of the land currently faces encroachment, depriving the government of its benefits. With the establishment of this system, supported by GIS-based features, the ministry would be able to evaluate commercial value, attract private investment, and ensure optimal utilization.
The secretary expressed appreciation for ADB’s valuable observations regarding the National Housing Policy 2025. He further suggested that ADB could act as a technical partner and guarantor, particularly for projects engaging the private sector. The secretary also outlined potential areas of collaboration, including subsidy mechanisms in the housing sector, mortgage facilities and housing finance structures, green housing and climate-resilient construction techniques, urban regeneration policy updates, low-cost housing models and construction industry transition and establishment of data banks for planning and monitoring. The ADB team presented their observations on thematic areas and target groups, expressing readiness to explore meaningful cooperation. They emphasized the importance of addressing the housing subsidy framework and stressed the need to adopt community-based models of social urban infrastructure, similar to the Singapore model, ensuring maximum welfare and participation.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their commitment to advancing collaboration for sustainable housing development, modernization of asset management, and creation of inclusive urban infrastructure in Pakistan.
