KARACHI: President Karachi Press Club, Ahmed Khan Malik has urged government to provide maximum relief to Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) to overcome shortage of 12 million housing units in Pakistan. This step would provide relief to people from low-income groups to fulfill their dreams for homes while construction sector playing leading role in economic progress of country could be benefited. He announced all out support to ABAD for development of Karachi. Addressing a reception hosted by ABAD in honour of newly elected office-bearers of Karachi Press Club at ABAD House, Chairman ABAD, Arif Yousuf Jeewa, Patron-in-Chief, Mohsin Sheikhani, senior Vice Chairman, Fayyaz Ilyas, vice Chairman, Sohail Warind, Chairman Southern Region, Altaf Tai, Joint Secretary KPC, Naimat Khan, Treasurer Moosa Kalim, senior journalists Saeed Khawar, G M Jamali, Khursheed Abbasi, Fahim Siddiqui, Fawad Anwar and a number of journalists and members of ABAD were also present on this occasion. Ahmed Malik said that with progress of construction sector, other 72 allied industries would also run in full swing thus boosting national economy. He demanded of government to announce a special package for construction sector for providing housing to maximum number of people. He said that ABAD has been a vibrant trade body, which has proved itself in every field of life. He assured that media of Karachi would stand with ABAD for development of the only mega city of Pakistan. He appealed ABAD to help and guide members of Karachi Press Club, who have been given 1,400 plots by Sindh government for residential purpose. Arif Yousuf Jeewa said that journalist have played important role in development of Karachi and many of problems regarding construction sector have been solved by active cooperation of media persons. He said that ABAD has reserved a certain quota for journalists in its Social Housing Schemes in a number of cities across the country. He said that journalist have played very positive role behind permission for construction of 6-floor buildings in Karachi by Supreme Court of Pakistan. Due to decision of Supreme Court construction activities were started in Karachi. Construction activities were almost came to a halt due to ban on high-rise buildings in city and many of allied industries had started lying off their staff. He assured office-bearers of KPC that ABAD would stand with them in need of support and that a long term relations between ABAD and KPC would further foster in days to come. Mohsin Sheikhani said that keeping in view shortage of millions of houses in the country, ABAD has announced Social Housing Schemes in Islamabad. ABAD will provide house costing Rs 1.7 million to Rs 1.9 million with all facilities in these schemes. ABAD has not asked government to provide land on subsidised rates nor any relief, however government should provide infrastructural facilities so that dream of having own home by people from lower strata of the society could come true. Fayyaz Ilyas congratulating newly elected office-bearers of KPC said that journalists become voice against any kind of injustice to every segment of society for which journalists have to face many kinds of problems in line of duty. Later, crests and bouquets were presented to office-bearers of KPC and other senior journalists. Published in Daily Times, January 18th 2018.