Islamabad: UN-Habitat Pakistan recently held a National Consultative Workshop focusing on the pressing issues of affordable housing and Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) rights. The workshop addressed the country’s severe housing deficit, which exceeds 10 million units, and the prevalence of informal settlements housing more than half of the urban population. The gathering saw participation from senior figures across government, UN agencies, academia, and civil society, all aiming to tackle the challenges and opportunities in Pakistan’s housing sector.

Mr. John Taylor, Chief Technical Advisor at UN-Habitat Pakistan, and Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, Senior Advisor, emphasized the need for coordinated reforms. They reiterated UN-Habitat’s support through policy advice, technical assistance, and capacity building to foster inclusive and sustainable housing solutions.

Ms. Ombretta Tempra of UN-Habitat highlighted global housing challenges, noting that 1.6 billion people face affordability issues worldwide. She stressed tenure security and legal frameworks as crucial elements for addressing the crisis. The event introduced the UN-Habitat 2023 resolution focusing on adequate housing through a new working group.

Mr. Hamid Mumtaz of UN-Habitat discussed land governance in Pakistan, while Mr. Waseem Hayat Bajwa of the Ministry of Housing and Works outlined the draft National Housing Policy promoting sustainable housing. The policy highlights climate-resilient construction and legal reforms such as the Urban Regeneration Act.

The workshop’s panel discussion underscored the importance of institutional collaboration and harmonizing policies to improve housing access for marginalized groups. Participants agreed on the need for public-private partnerships, urban planning, and a national housing database. Recommendations included accelerating land record digitization and enacting supportive legislation.

The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to addressing Pakistan’s housing challenges through coordinated efforts and reforms, with UN-Habitat pledging continued collaboration with national stakeholders.