“Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the transformative ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ housing scheme, offering interest-free loans of Rs 1.5 million to low-income families for home construction. Targeting 100,000 homes, the initiative provides affordable housing with a three-month grace period and Rs 14,000 monthly instalments over seven years, empowering Punjab’s underprivileged.”
Maryam Nawaz Unveils ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ to Transform Housing in Punjab
In a landmark move to address housing challenges for low-income families, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ housing scheme. The initiative, which began in August 2024, aims to provide affordable housing to 100,000 families across Punjab, offering interest-free loans of Rs 1.5 million to eligible landowners. The scheme targets plot owners with 1-5 marlas in urban areas and 1-10 marlas in rural areas, ensuring accessibility for both urban and rural residents.
The program has already shown significant progress. As of April 2025, over 25,500 families have received loans totaling Rs 27.43 billion, with 1,806 houses completed and 22,600 nearing completion. The Punjab government has recovered Rs 924 million in loan repayments, reflecting the initiative’s transparency and financial discipline. Additionally, more than 12,000 families have received their second loan instalment, facilitating ongoing construction.
The scheme offers a three-month grace period during which no payments are required, followed by affordable monthly instalments of Rs 14,000 over seven years. This structure is designed to ease the financial burden on low-income families, allowing them to budget for other essentials like education, utilities, and healthcare. Chief Minister Nawaz emphasized the scheme’s merit-based approach, stating that loans are disbursed without political or personal recommendations, ensuring fairness.
In addition to the loan program, the Punjab government has introduced the ‘Apni Zameen Apna Ghar’ scheme, launched in May 2025, which provides free 3-marla plots to homeless and low-income residents. The first phase will distribute 1,892 plots across 23 housing schemes in 19 districts, including Attock, Faisalabad, and Sargodha. This initiative, managed by the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA), prioritizes vulnerable groups such as widows, orphans, and differently-abled individuals.
The ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ program is being implemented in three phases, covering rural areas, urban areas, and major cities like Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, and Rawalpindi. In Lahore, 5,000 homes are under construction near Raiwind Road in the first phase. The government has also partnered with private housing developers to build 3-5 marla homes and four-story flats, ensuring diverse housing options.
To streamline applications, the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has developed an online portal (acag.punjab.gov.pk), allowing residents to apply from home. For those without internet access, offline application desks are available at Deputy Commissioner offices. A dedicated helpline (0800-09100) provides support for applicants facing challenges.
The initiative has been hailed as a game-changer for Punjab’s housing sector. Chief Minister Nawaz has described it as a personal mission, aligning with her vision of “Housing for All.” The program not only addresses homelessness but also promotes socio-economic development by creating employment opportunities and improving living standards. With a target of 40,000 loans by May 2025 and Rs 62 billion approved for the scheme, the Punjab government is accelerating efforts to ensure no one remains homeless.
Public response has been overwhelmingly positive, with social media posts reflecting gratitude and hope. Many residents have expressed their desire for loan approvals to build their dream homes, though some have raised concerns about application challenges and the sufficiency of the Rs 1.5 million loan amount given rising construction costs.
The ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ and ‘Apni Zameen Apna Ghar’ schemes mark a significant step toward inclusive governance in Punjab, setting a precedent for affordable housing initiatives globally. As the program expands, it continues to bring hope and stability to thousands of families.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports and information sourced from credible news outlets, including Business Recorder, The Express Tribune, Punjab government portals, and public posts on X. The data reflects developments up to July 2025. Readers are advised to verify details through official channels like acag.punjab.gov.pk for the latest updates.