ADB, Pakistan to jointly develop Land Data Bank to map and manage federal assets
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Pakistan have agreed to collaborate on the development of a comprehensive Land Data Bank to map and manage federal assets, with a focus on optimizing land use and unlocking investment potential.
The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, and an ADB delegation led by Hong Soo, Senior Housing Specialist at ADB Headquarters, and Mian Shaukat Shafi, Unit Head Urban/Lead Officer at ADB’s Pakistan Resident Mission.
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The proposed Land Data Bank will digitally catalog federal land holdings, particularly prime real estate, using GIS-enabled systems to track ownership, evaluate commercial value, and prevent encroachments. The project aims to increase transparency, improve resource utilization, and attract private sector investment.
Minister Pirzada thanked ADB for its continued support, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transparency, data-driven policymaking, and sustainable urban development.
Housing Secretary Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh stressed that encroachments and lack of centralized records have long hindered the effective use of government-owned land. He proposed ADB’s involvement as a technical partner and guarantor, especially for housing initiatives involving private sector participation.
He also outlined potential collaboration areas, including:
- Housing subsidies and mortgage frameworks
- Green and climate-resilient housing models
- Urban regeneration and low-cost housing policies
- Development of data systems for policy planning and monitoring
ADB representatives expressed support for these efforts and shared observations on improving subsidy frameworks and adopting community-based urban infrastructure models, citing Singapore as a global best practice.
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Both sides reaffirmed their shared goal of creating sustainable housing solutions, modernized asset management, and inclusive urban development across Pakistan.
Source: Express Tribune