Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has declared the 'Apni Chhat Apna Ghar' programme and its related housing schemes as the provincial government's flagship initiatives, directing authorities to ensure their effective implementation without any negligence.
Final Approval for New Safety Initiative
Chairing a meeting to review the progress of the 'Apni Chhat Apna Ghar' and 'Apni Zameen Apna Ghar' programmes, the chief minister gave final approval to launch the 'Apna Ghar, Mehfooz Ghar' initiative, designed to improve the safety of vulnerable homes and help prevent incidents similar to the Kahna tragedy, where a teenage girl was shot dead over refusal to marry.
Under the new scheme, homeowners living in unsafe or deteriorating houses will be eligible for financial assistance of up to Rs500,000 to repair damaged structures and reinforce weak roofs. Families seeking to build an additional floor will also be able to obtain interest-free loans of up to Rs1 million, repayable through easy instalments.
Simplification of Loan Procedures
Maryam Nawaz instructed officials to introduce a new category under the 'Apni Chhat Apna Ghar' programme within three days and simplify the procedure for obtaining home construction loans to make the process more accessible. She stressed that effective governance is demonstrated through practical action during difficult times.
The chief minister directed officials to ensure that no additional financial burden is placed on low-income families and instructed that the existing eligibility criteria for housing loans remain unchanged.
Progress Update on Housing Schemes
Officials informed the meeting that more than 180,000 homeless families had been approved for interest-free housing loans, while over 170,000 had already received financial assistance. They added that Rs217.8 billion had so far been released under the programme.
According to the briefing, 134,343 houses have been completed across Punjab, while nearly 27,500 more are in the final phase of construction. More than 1.278 million homeless families have also applied for assistance under the housing scheme.
Distribution of Residential Plots
The meeting was further informed that 2,000 residential plots had been distributed in 23 districts under the 'Apni Zameen Apna Ghar' programme, alongside updates on rehabilitation and infrastructure development in those areas. The chief minister announced that all 2,000 families who had received free residential plots would also be provided loans to construct their homes.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the government remains committed to providing affordable housing and financial support to the underprivileged, ensuring that no deserving family is left without a safe home.
