"Academia Network - PM’s Naya Pakistan Housing Program”

Under the advisement of Chair of Prime Minister’s Task Committee on Affordable Housing and with the patronage of the Vice Chancellor of NED University of Engineering and Technology (NEDUET), an event "Academia Network - PM’s Naya Pakistan Housing Program”, was organized at NEDUET, November 04, 2019.

Group Photograph

On behalf of the Center for Affordable Housing and Sustainable Built Environment (CAHSBE), NED University, Chair Professor Dr. Shuaib Ahmad welcomed the participants.  Mr. Zaigham Rizvi, Chair of the Prime Minister’s Task Committee shared the aims and objectives of the Academia Network to provide technical support for PM Housing Program.  He stated that two factors critical in bringing the cost of housing with in affordability range of low income segment, are Cost of Land and Cost of Construction. For managing cost of construction, while maintaining construction quality and decency standards, we need to innovate in construction materials and construction technologies. It is where Academia can play a critical role. While Universities around the country are doing some research in these areas, it is not coming out from research tables to the field and market for use and manifesting. The Council for Works and Housing Research (CWHR), working under Ministry of Science and Technology can play a pivotal role in association with universities under the pivotal role and platform of NED University’s Center for Affordable Housing and Sustainable Development.

Mr. Zaigham declared that he has developed a web-based portal Research Center to facilitate researchers in housing and housing finance. It is content rich with related material from around the globe with a focus on Pakistan and South Asia. A website “Advisory Center for Affordable Settlements & Housing (ACASH)” was formally launched by the Honorable Minister Mr. Fawad Chaudhry.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Fawad Chaudhry, Minister of Science and Technology (MOST), Government of Pakistan encouraged the interaction between the Government, Academia and Industry for the implementation of the PM’s Naya Pakistan Housing Program.  He stressed the role of Academia in effectively bringing to the market cost effective sustainable technologies using indigenous materials.  He also encouraged the collaboration between the Academia, CWHR and PSQCA.

Presently, the Academia Network on PM’s initiative on Affordable Housing include the following Universities.

  • NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi
  • National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
  • University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore
  • University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore
  • Baluchistan University of Information Technology, Engineering, and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta
  • Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro
  • University of Engineering & Technology (UET), Peshawar
  • COMSATS University, Islamabad, Lahore

At this event, Universities and CWHR shared their work with respect to housing and explored ways and means to work closely with PSQCA to effectively contribute towards the PM’s initiative on housing initiative of Government of Pakistan.