Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with Oman’s Minister of Housing and Urban Planning Dr. Khalfan bin Said bin Mubarak Al Shueili in Muscat, where the Omani minister commended Punjab’s interest-free housing scheme, Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar, as a superior model to Oman’s existing housing loan program. The meeting focused on urban planning and development, showcasing Punjab’s low-cost housing initiative.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the Omani minister expressed interest in the scheme and congratulated the chief minister on Punjab receiving the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour award. The chief minister detailed the scheme and other related initiatives, highlighting that over 200,000 people had received loans to build homes under Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar in just 18 months, with Rs260 billion disbursed in interest-free loans.

CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz emphasized the program’s transparency and merit-based approach, noting a recovery rate exceeding 99 percent. Despite economic constraints, she aims to build 500,000 houses for low-income families in five years. Dr. Al Shueili acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Pakistani community in Oman and noted that Punjab’s interest-free loans made Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar a more favorable initiative compared to Oman’s models. The discussion also touched on integrated urban planning and sustainable strategies in Oman, with a focus on smart housing and the contribution of Pakistani companies to Muscat’s real estate sector.