TAXILA: The second phase of the Workers’ Welfare Fund Labour Complex on Hattar Road in Taxila formally began on Tuesday with the laying of its foundation stone by Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain, who announced that the Rs1.106 billion project would be completed within 24 months.
Originally launched in 2007, the second phase of the project has moved forward after a 19-year delay. The first phase consists of 504 residential flats for industrial workers and their families.
Addressing the ceremony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain said the second phase would provide residential accommodation along with essential educational and commercial facilities, including separate high schools for boys and girls, a junior school and a shopping area.
He said efforts were being made to accelerate the project so that families of workers who lost their lives in an incident at Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), Wah, could receive the keys to their flats at the earliest.
The minister also announced five additional flats for the families of five martyred POF workers.
Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said the project had remained stalled for years but was now being revived to ensure that deserving workers and their families received their due housing facilities.
He expressed confidence that the scheme would be completed within the announced timeframe.
Chairman of the Provincial Assembly Standing Committee on Finance Mohsin Ayub Khan said he and Barrister Aqeel Malik had held several meetings to resolve issues that had delayed the project, paving the way for the launch of its second phase.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Rawalpindi District President Haji Malik Umar Farooq also highlighted the importance of welfare initiatives for industrial workers and their families.
Political leaders, local representatives and other dignitaries attended the foundation-stone-laying ceremony.