Lahore: In a significant move to address housing affordability, Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced the launch of the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ program aimed at providing low-cost housing solutions to the economically weaker sections of the province. The announcement came during a meeting with Dr. Amjad Saqib, founder and chairman of Akhuwat, where mutual appreciation for ongoing social initiatives and governmental efforts was exchanged.
According to Punjab Portal, the meeting highlighted the collaborative spirit between the Punjab government and social organizations like Akhuwat. CM Sharif lauded the efforts of Akhuwat under Dr. Saqib’s leadership and discussed the extensive social impact of their initiatives. Dr. Saqib, in turn, praised the CM’s efforts in providing substantial relief in electricity bills and initiating impactful housing projects.
The ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ program, as detailed by CM Sharif, is set to be one of the largest and most economical residential projects in Pakistan’s history. The initiative aims to fulfill the dreams of low-income families in Punjab by providing them with affordable housing options. “We will extend the scope of this program every year,” Sharif stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to expanding the program’s reach.
Further elaborating on the program’s structure, Sharif mentioned that the Punjab government will offer subsidies and soft-term monthly installments to lessen the financial burden on beneficiaries. Additionally, the construction under this program will prioritize durability and environmental sustainability. “This revolutionary housing project will not only provide homes to lakhs of families but also generate significant employment opportunities,” Sharif added.
The program outlines that owners of residential plots up to 10 marlas in rural areas and 5 marlas in urban locales can avail of interest-free loans worth 15 lakhs. For urban dwellers, the government plans to construct four-storied flats on state-owned lands, which will be allotted through balloting and offered on easy installment plans.
In a parallel effort, 3-5 marla houses will be developed within private housing schemes, with the government providing a 10 lakh rupee subsidy for each unit. Homebuyers in these schemes can own their homes by repaying the remaining installments within five years.
The meeting, which also saw participation from key governmental officials including Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman and Secretary Housing Asad Ullah Khan, underscored a unified approach towards tackling the housing crisis in Punjab.