$207.17m Punjab housing programme: WB gives moderately satisfactory rating
The project was approved in March 2022 with the development objective to support the government of Punjab in strengthening its housing institutions and systems, and enhancing the quantity and quality of affordable housing supply.
The project documents revealed that the project cost has been revised from $200 million to $207.17 million. Program implementation is steadily accelerating, with total disbursements reaching $24.54 million to date
Punjab govt moving towards regularizing illegal housing societies
Many of the annual targets for the Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) have been met. Notable achievements include the development and operationalisation of the Housing Market Information System, the Project Management Information System, and the Beneficiary Management Information System. Additionally, the Location and Infrastructure Investment Criteria have been established, and the revised Affordable Private Housing Scheme (APHS) Rules and Regulations have been approved.
A rapid housing assessment has been conducted as a more in-depth comprehensive housing assessment will be part of the assignment when developing the Punjab Affordable Housing Policy. Beneficiary eligibility criteria to better respond to local market conditions and catering to lower-income households are being developed and are expected to be finalized by end August 2025. Innovative design solutions for core housing prototypes and their costing is underway, to be completed by end-August, official documents noted.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
World Bank urges Pakistan to expedite $55mn power efficiency project
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has urged Pakistan's Power Division and three major Distribution Companies (Discos) to fast-track implementation of the Additional Financing (AF) for the Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project (EDEIP), warning that continued delays could hamper the timely and effective use of the $55 million credit facility. In a letter addressed to Secretary Economic Affairs Dr. Kazim Niaz, the World Bank's new Country Director for Pakistan, Bolormaa Amgaabazar, noted a significant uptick in disbursements and commitments as of June 30, 2025—with disbursements rising to $18.09 million (9.3%) from 3.6% in November 2024, and commitments to $18.28 million (20.7%) from 9.0%. Still, the Bank flagged that targets for the quarter were not fully met due to rebidding of key contracts, procurement strategy revisions, and delays in grievance resolution. Wolrd Bank approves $55m in additional financing to Discos Despite these hurdles, the Bank remains optimistic. 'The project is now on track to meet its development goals by closure,' the letter stated, projecting end-FY26 disbursement and commitment levels at 30% and 95%, respectively. The World Bank lauded the Economic Affairs Division and Power Division for securing the AF package but emphasized that further momentum depends on meeting several immediate conditions—including finalizing the Financing Agreement and triggering its effectiveness within the 90-day window post-signature. The three Discos—Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO)—have been told to promptly roll out activities under the new funding. During the Bank's May 2025 Appraisal Mission, all stakeholders agreed on a roadmap to eliminate project bottlenecks and enhance implementation speed. The World Bank stressed the importance of updating the Project Enhancement Action Plan (PEAP) by July 21, 2025, to reflect on-the-ground realities and lessons learned. Similarly, the Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD) must be revised in line with the Bank's 2025 Procurement Regulations to address persistent contract delays. Key improvements must also be made in procurement quality, bid evaluation speed, complaint management, and oversight of contract execution. All high-value contracts must incorporate rated criteria and early market engagement to ensure transparency and efficiency. Revised procurement plans and bid documents are due to the Bank by July 31, 2025. On the Environmental and Social (E&S) front, the Bank flagged slow progress in preparing key documents like Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs). These are to be submitted by the end of July. The Bank warned that continued inaction could stall broader project progress. While the capacity of Project Implementation Units (PIUs) has improved—with support from the Project Implementation and Management Support Consultant (PIMSC)—gaps remain. The Bank highlighted the need for greater stability in project teams, urging against frequent changes in PIMSC personnel. DISCOs have been instructed to submit a detailed FY26 work plan for consultant engagement by July 31 and to fill all key PIU vacancies with qualified personnel by August 31. 'With focused effort and leadership, the project can still meet its targets and deliver long-term impact on Pakistan's power distribution performance,' the Country Director noted, reiterating the Bank's commitment to the country's reform agenda. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
AF implementation for EDEIP: PD, Discos urged to speed up
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has urged Pakistan's Power Division and three major Distribution Companies (Discos) to fast-track implementation of the Additional Financing (AF) for the Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project (EDEIP), warning that continued delays could hamper the timely and effective use of the $55 million credit facility. In a letter addressed to Secretary Economic Affairs Dr. Kazim Niaz, the World Bank's new Country Director for Pakistan, Bolormaa Amgaabazar, noted a significant uptick in disbursements and commitments as of June 30, 2025—with disbursements rising to $18.09 million (9.3%) from 3.6% in November 2024, and commitments to $18.28 million (20.7%) from 9.0%. Still, the Bank flagged that targets for the quarter were not fully met due to rebidding of key contracts, procurement strategy revisions, and delays in grievance resolution. Wolrd Bank approves $55m in additional financing to Discos Despite these hurdles, the Bank remains optimistic. 'The project is now on track to meet its development goals by closure,' the letter stated, projecting end-FY26 disbursement and commitment levels at 30% and 95%, respectively. The World Bank lauded the Economic Affairs Division and Power Division for securing the AF package but emphasized that further momentum depends on meeting several immediate conditions—including finalizing the Financing Agreement and triggering its effectiveness within the 90-day window post-signature. The three Discos—Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO)—have been told to promptly roll out activities under the new funding. During the Bank's May 2025 Appraisal Mission, all stakeholders agreed on a roadmap to eliminate project bottlenecks and enhance implementation speed. The World Bank stressed the importance of updating the Project Enhancement Action Plan (PEAP) by July 21, 2025, to reflect on-the-ground realities and lessons learned. Similarly, the Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD) must be revised in line with the Bank's 2025 Procurement Regulations to address persistent contract delays. Key improvements must also be made in procurement quality, bid evaluation speed, complaint management, and oversight of contract execution. All high-value contracts must incorporate rated criteria and early market engagement to ensure transparency and efficiency. Revised procurement plans and bid documents are due to the Bank by July 31, 2025. On the Environmental and Social (E&S) front, the Bank flagged slow progress in preparing key documents like Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs). These are to be submitted by the end of July. The Bank warned that continued inaction could stall broader project progress. While the capacity of Project Implementation Units (PIUs) has improved—with support from the Project Implementation and Management Support Consultant (PIMSC)—gaps remain. The Bank highlighted the need for greater stability in project teams, urging against frequent changes in PIMSC personnel. DISCOs have been instructed to submit a detailed FY26 work plan for consultant engagement by July 31 and to fill all key PIU vacancies with qualified personnel by August 31. 'With focused effort and leadership, the project can still meet its targets and deliver long-term impact on Pakistan's power distribution performance,' the Country Director noted, reiterating the Bank's commitment to the country's reform agenda. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Probe into power projects: Senate panel for action against PD for providing ‘misleading' info
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has recommended the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) taking action against the Power Division for allegedly providing misleading information during an inquiry initiated by the former caretaker Federal Minister for Energy. The inquiry pertains to the ACSR Bunting Conductor tender and the World Bank-funded 765kV Dasu-Islamabad Transmis-sion Line Project (Lot-1). According to official documents, Additional Secretary Power Division, Imtiaz Hussain Shah, informed the Committee on June 30, 2025, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had confirmed no Power of Attorney (PoA) related to Chinese firms M/s Henan Tong-DA Cable Co. Ltd. or M/s Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co. Ltd. was submitted to the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing for verification. The Embassy also clarified that since Pakistan joined the Apostille Convention in November 2024, such attestations are no longer required through diplomatic channels. HUBCO proposes $51mn investment in Thar-based coal projects The Committee, chaired by Senator Saif Ullah Abro, directed the EAD and Power Division to directly contact the companies involved to determine whether they had ever submitted such documents. In its session, the Committee was also briefed on the submission of records for a special audit into the ACSR Bunting Conductor case. These were handed over to the Auditor General's office on June 4, 2025. Regarding the high-voltage Dasu–Islamabad Transmis-sion Line (Lot-1), the Power Division shared that the internal inquiry led by GM NGC Muhammad Mustafa had recommended referring the matter to the World Bank. The Bank, in response, confirmed that the procurement process was conducted in line with its guidelines. However, the Committee expressed concern over a potential cover-up. Officials from the Power Division failed to present the supplementary report that supposedly formed the basis for communication with the World Bank. Instead, they showed only a letter written by a former senior official, which the Committee suspects was intended to conceal irregularities. The panel demanded all correspondence relating to that letter and clarified that under World Bank procurement regulations, the borrower (in this case, Pakistan) holds full responsibility for the procurement process. The Committee was told that no formal inquiry report was ever prepared or submitted by former caretaker Energy Minister Muhammad Ali, despite his active role as head of an internal investigation committee. Power Division officials stated they had only heard about an unsigned report, which was never officially shared. The Committee was visibly shocked and questioned how the former Minister was able to present conclusions at a Senate Standing Committee meeting on February 20, 2024, without a documented report. It directed the Power Division to locate and submit even an unsigned copy of the inquiry findings and recommended that EAD take disciplinary action against the Power Division for providing misleading information in this matter. The Committee further advised EAD to seek clarification on how both the former caretaker Minister and the then Secretary of the Power Division—members of the inquiry committee—could act with such negligence, allegedly concealing facts about financial and procedural irregularities in key power sector tenders. On the issue of recovering Rs 1.282 billion from a contractor involved in the 765kV Dasu–Islamabad Grid Station (Lot-IV), the Committee clarified that the NTDC Board was not authorized to conduct an independent inquiry. It recalled earlier discussions confirming that the disputed amount was not to be considered in the bid evaluation, per the bidding documents. The Committee instructed EAD to formally write to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to ensure recovery of the Rs 1.282 billion from the lowest bidder in line with earlier recommendations. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
