Islamabad: Minister for Housing and Works, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, has appreciated the United Nations Habitat (UN Human Settlement Programme) for its continued support to Pakistan in addressing housing challenges. He was talking to a delegation of UN-Habitat, which called on him in Islamabad today. The Minister highlighted the urgent need for affordable housing solutions aligned with national development priorities.

According to Radio Pakistan, during the meeting, a comprehensive presentation was delivered outlining the ministry’s mandate, initiatives, and underscoring Pakistan’s national housing deficit of approximately 10 million units. It was elaborated that high land costs, technical complexities, limited access to mortgage finance, and the need to promote vertical housing to maximize land efficiency are the recent challenges in the housing sector.

On the occasion, head of the UN Habitat Ombretta Tempra stressed the importance of affordable housing for low-income and marginalized communities. Drawing from global best practices in Nairobi and China, she proposed innovative financing models such as mortgages, bank guarantees, micro-financing, and rental housing, highlighting rental housing as a growing global trend for affordability.

UN-Habitat expressed its commitment to support the review of Pakistan’s draft National Housing Policy 2025, in consultation with the World Bank and other international partners. It was recommended that the World Bank would be approached for financial support following the policy review, as UN-Habitat primarily serves as a technical partner.

It was also agreed that a joint consultative session will be held three weeks after the policy review to explore further collaboration opportunities and an urban regeneration pilot project. Both sides expressed a shared commitment to enhancing cooperation for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient housing solutions in Pakistan.