Latest news with #SindhPeople'sHousingScheme
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Homes for flood-hit families: Sindh People's Housing Scheme ‘largest' project in world: Sharjeel
HYDERABAD: A major ceremony was held at Rawal House, Rahooki in Tando Jam under the Sindh People's Housing Scheme, where ownership rights of newly constructed homes were distributed among flood-affected families. Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, attended as chief guest and addressed the event. He said this is not a routine gathering but a 'historic message being sent to the world that the Pakistan Peoples Party is a symbol of public service.' He asserted that the Sindh Peoples Housing Scheme is not just the largest in Pakistan but the largest such project in the world, aiming to provide free homes to 2.1 million families. He said the initiative stems from PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's vision, formed after visiting flood-hit areas in the aftermath of the devastating 2022 rains. Acting on Bilawal's direction, the Sindh government made immediate arrangements to provide permanent housing for those affected. The minister acknowledged the initial scepticism about the feasibility of building so many homes, but noted that Bilawal Bhutto made it clear that 'this is not a political statement but a commitment to public service these homes must be built.' Following extensive planning and engagement with the World Bank and international agencies, the massive housing programme began. A distinctive feature of the scheme, Memon said, is that ownership rights are being granted in the names of women, to empower them and ensure stability within families. Those awarded today, he said, had lost everything and endured harsh conditions in temporary camps, but now thanks to the Peoples Party government's efforts they have secure homes and financial support channelled through bank accounts. He added that the Sindh scheme is unprecedented in scale, noting that while 800,000 homes were rebuilt after the Nepal earthquake, Sindh's programme delivers 2.1 million. 'It deserves recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records,' he said. Memon also highlighted other PPP government initiatives, such as the only Cyber Knife equipped hospital providing free cancer treatment, and efforts to install solar panels in flood victims' homes to address electricity shortages. He announced a new programme 'Maash' for employment and economic empowerment will be launched soon. Paying tribute to President Asif Ali Zardari on his 70th birthday, Memon cited landmark achievements, including the 18th Amendment, NFC Award, Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan, and Benazir Income Support Programme, and the country's turnaround from wheat importer to exporter. He maintained that the Peoples Party considers public service a duty rather than a favour, and challenged rival parties to point to any single comparable completed project. Sindh Assembly member Imdad Pitafi and Commissioner Hyderabad Fayaz Abbasi also addressed the ceremony, affirming that 99% of the 45,000 homes targeted for Hyderabad division have been completed. The ceremony concluded with the distribution of property documents to deserving women. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bilawal gives titles of houses to flood victims
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday visited several villages in Kot Ghulam Muhammad tehsil-Waghreeji Kolhi Para, Ghulam Mustafa Leghari-and the village of Khenbri in Shujaabad tehsil, where he met flood-affected families who were provided new houses under the Sindh People's Housing Scheme. He also distributed property ownership documents to the residents, especially women. Speaking on the occasion, Bilawal congratulated the recipients and said the Sindh government had provided them strong, secure homes so that they would no longer suffer during future floods or heavy rains as they had in the past. Addressing the women present, he said: "We are giving you not just a house, but full ownership rights to the land and property, in your names. No one will be able to take your home or land away from you now." At the house of a flood victim named Lachman, Bilawal sat on a floor mat and chatted with the family's young son, Bhagwana, asking him how he liked his new home. He praised the women of the household for decorating the home beautifully and personally congratulated Lachman and his wife. Bilawal personally handed over the legal ownership documents to the women and reiterated that the homes and the land now legally belonged to them. He expressed delight at seeing how the families had decorated and painted their homes from the inside. "I came here specifically to see how you've rebuilt and beautified your homes. We've constructed many houses already and will continue to do more so that people won't face housing issues in the future," he added. In one home, a woman, overcome with joy, told Bilawal, "We've only ever seen you on TV-now you're in our house. We can't believe it!" Bilawal responded warmly, "You endured difficult days. We promised we'd build you a home, and today I'm here to fulfill that promise." Pointing to the woman's infant son, Dilip, he said, "This house is legally yours now. I hope one day you'll pass it on to your son when he grows up." During the visit, Bilawal interacted informally with residents, admired their homemade decorations, and praised those who had painted their homes themselves. He said, "We're fulfilling the promise of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto-'Roti, Kapra aur Makaan'-and also our commitment to empowering women." Speaking to a large gathering of women in a nearby marquee, Bilawal said his mother was the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the PPP believes women should have equal economic strength as men. "Before the Sindh People's Housing Programme, only two percent of houses in Sindh were registered in women's names. That's why we're building the world's largest housing scheme-20 lakh homes-where the ownership titles are being issued to women. These assets will not only provide shelter but empower women economically," he said. He thanked the women for their longstanding support of the PPP, adding that it is due to their trust that the party has been able to work for the people of Sindh, especially women's welfare.
