Govt Unveils New Housing Policy to Control Urban Sprawl and Illegal Societies

The Ministry of Housing and Works has unveiled the initial draft of the National Housing Policy 2025, aiming to address Pakistan’s deepening housing crisis and the unchecked growth of unplanned urban settlements.

Prepared by the Policy and Planning Wing, this new policy replaces the outdated 2001 version. It was developed after wide consultations with experts, academia, and provincial departments. The vision of the policy is to ensure “adequate, affordable, and sustainable housing for all.”

Pakistan currently faces a shortage of 10 million housing units, and the policy highlights the urgent need to reduce unplanned urban sprawl, protect agricultural land, and resolve issues stemming from poor town planning.

The policy focuses on nine key areas, including microfinancing, use of local materials, disaster resilience, urban renewal, data-based planning, and capacity building. It also emphasises the importance of empowering local governments and collecting accurate data for future development.

Housing Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, who chaired the briefing session, noted that unregulated construction has severely affected agriculture.

He reiterated that while the federal ministry will set the national framework, implementation lies with the provinces under the 18th Amendment, allowing for region-specific and sustainable housing models.