Housing should be included in infrastructure development
Pakistan housing condition
Pakistan is one of the country with large population that is increasing at fast pace. Housing is one of the many issues in Pakistan. 40 million people in Pakistan have no access to washrooms or toilets. 50% population is living in the houses which are termed as slum dwellings by UNO. These houses have no separate kitchens, baths, drawing rooms or bedrooms. Also these houses have no proper ventilation and natural light. Room occupancy is also very high. In developed countries 1.5-2 people are living in a room but in Pakistan more than 5 people are living per room.
Housing shortage in Pakistan
Pakistan is facing the severe housing shortage due to the high population growth rate. Pakistan population is increasing at the annual rate of 1.57%. 60% of present housing stock in Pakistan has passed their use-able life and should be replaced. Pakistan needs to build small houses to cover the housing shortage of 10 million houses. Unfortunately housing shortage is increasing day by day due to no housing policy in Pakistan.
Pakistan has no affordable housing
House price to salary ratio is 10:1 in Pakistan, whereas world affordable house price to salary ratio is 4:1. History of affordable housing in Pakistan shows that some efforts we made to provide the low cost housing to general public. Affordable housing was provided by the government but these efforts were very limited and general public could not benefit these efforts.
Government should add housing to development policies
The way things are moving forward, Pakistan will be the nation with most homeless people. This is the time for the government to step forward and start housing development on larger scale. Government of Pakistan should include housing to its infrastructure developments. This way government can provide decent and affordable housing for general public.