KARACHI: In a significant contribution to Pakistan’s housing policy landscape, two landmark books authored by renowned housing finance expert Zaigham Mahmood Rizvi were formally launched today at the Ashraf Habibullah AV Hall, NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi.
The launch ceremony featured the unveiling of the following publications:
Housing Challenge, Issues and Answers: Case of Pakistan
Housing Policies & Programs: Case of Pakistan and Brief Narrations of Some Select Asia-Pacific Countries
The event brought together leading voices from academia, banking, real estate development, and public policy:
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tufail, Vice Chancellor, NED University, emphasized the role of academic research and institutional innovation in addressing real-world housing challenges.
Prof. Dr. Noman Ahmed, Pro Vice Chancellor, NED University, provided critical urban insights on how planning and policy must respond to growing housing needs.
Mr. Hassan Bakhshi, Chairman of ABAD, highlighted the importance of private sector leadership in driving affordable housing initiatives and expanding construction industry capacity.
Dr. Junaid Ahmed, an expert in housing and development policy, explored the intersection of finance, governance, and sustainability in the design of inclusive housing systems.
Mr. Syed Iftikhar ul Haq, Group Head – Consumer Finance, Meezan Bank, shared how Islamic banking models are reshaping access to housing finance through Shariah-compliant and inclusive instruments.
Mr. Kashif Shah, Chairman, Zaamin Group, spoke about private sector innovation and the need for public-private synergies to overcome housing delivery bottlenecks.
In his keynote address, Zaigham M. Rizvi, the author, global housing finance consultant, Fulbright Scholar, and Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Union for Housing Finance, reflected on five decades of policy advisory work and laid out a vision for a more inclusive and responsive housing ecosystem in Pakistan and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The books aim to serve as vital resources for housing professionals, policymakers, urban planners, development practitioners, and students of finance and public policy.
The event was generously supported by Meezan Bank Limited as Platinum Sponsor and Zaamin Group as Gold Sponsor. The ceremony was managed by Ripple Koncepts and marked by its strong focus on inclusion and accessibility. It featured participation from professionals with disabilities, live sign language interpretation, and Inclusive Braille certificates for speakers and dignitaries, made possible through the support of inclusion partners Boltay Huroof and ConnectHear, under the broader vision of the Determined Pakistan Initiative.
