WAH CANTT:The second phase of the Workers’ Welfare Fund Labour Complex on Hattar Road in Taxila was launched 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 project’s second phase has moved forward after a 19-year delay. The first phase comprises 504 residential flats for industrial workers and their families.
Addressing the ceremony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain said the second phase would include residential accommodation, separate high schools for boys and girls, a junior school and a shopping area.
He said efforts were being made to expedite construction so that families of workers who lost their lives in an incident at Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), Wah, could receive their flat keys at the earliest. He 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 long-stalled project was being revived to provide deserving workers and their families with housing facilities and expressed confidence that it would be completed within the stipulated 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 delaying the project, paving the way for the launch of the second phase.
On this occasion, 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 ceremony.