Banks have proposed setting up a single-window documentation system at the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to simplify and speed up processing under the Prime Minister housing programme, officials said on Thursday.
The recommendation emerged during a consultative session held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Rawalpindi office to review implementation challenges facing the Ghar Ho Tou Apna, Apna Ghar Programme.
The session brought together representatives of 25 commercial banks, RDA officials, a delegation from the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, students, and representatives of 34 housing societies.
Chairing the session, Chief Manager Rizwan Khaleel Shamsi urged developers and housing societies to promote vertical housing as a sustainable and affordable option.
He noted that forests and green belts in cities had been converted into housing societies in recent years, creating serious environmental challenges. He said vertical urbanisation offered the most suitable way to address these concerns while also delivering low-cost housing.
Shamsi shared examples of successful low-cost housing models from other economies and said such policies could be adapted to suit local needs. Banks raised documentation-related issues during the session, and these were discussed in detail.
Housing societies were also briefed on the features of the scheme so they could share the information with customers.
Banks called for the appointment of designated focal persons from revenue authorities and the RDA to ensure smoother processing. Participants also held open discussions on mortgage and lien-marking issues, sharing challenges and recommendations on both fronts.
Senior Deputy Chief Manager Umar Siddique Khattak said high-level events would be held in the near future and proposed forming a working group to tackle challenges and develop recommendations for promoting affordable housing.
