Addressing a press conference, Punjab Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari said the programme received the Scroll of Honour Award from UN Habitat for providing interest free financial assistance to low income families seeking to build their own homes.
According to Bukhari, ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar‘ ranked first among five projects selected for the international award. She said the programme, launched in 2024, has so far provided housing facilities to around 230,000 people.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has set a target of constructing one million houses over five years, Bukhari said, adding that the provincial government was expanding the programme to achieve the target.
Under the scheme, eligible people owning plots ranging from one to 10 marlas can receive interest-free loans to construct homes. The repayment period is set at nine years.
Bukhari claimed that merit and transparency were made central to the programme and that eligible families were being provided assistance without political recommendations.
She also criticized Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI), questioning why a similar housing initiative for low income families was not implemented during its prolonged tenure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Housing Minister Bilal Yasin said around 220,000 families had so far received funds under the programme, while 122,000 families had moved into homes they constructed. He said Rs278 billion had been disbursed to ordinary citizens under the scheme, with all financial assistance provided on an interest-free basis.
Yasin said the programme aims not only to provide loans but also to enable low-income families to own homes and reduce their long-term burden of paying rent.
The provincial ministers said the international recognition reflects the global appreciation of Punjab’s housing policy and pledged to continue expanding the programme to reach more deserving families and move towards the target of one million homes.
