In a major step towards ending homelessness in Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the highly anticipated “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” (Your Own Roof, Your Own Home) initiative. This groundbreaking welfare scheme focuses on providing fully constructed homes to those who have no permanent shelter, especially poor families, widows, orphans, and other vulnerable groups.
This programme follows the success of the 3-Marla Free Plot Scheme, and it further aims to provide ready-to-move-in houses for the most disadvantaged citizens of Punjab. The vision behind this initiative is simple: everyone deserves a safe and dignified place to live.
A Vision of Dignity and Shelter for All
Homelessness and lack of permanent shelter are major problems in many parts of Punjab. Countless families live in unsafe rented rooms, temporary huts, or overcrowded slums. Recognising this issue, CM Maryam Nawaz has promised to deliver affordable and safe housing to the poorest members of society, not in the distant future, but right now.
The “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” initiative focuses on restoring dignity and security for families who have long lived in uncertainty. It’s more than just a housing scheme — it’s a lifeline for the poor.
Core Features of the Scheme
This scheme stands out for its transparency, fairness, and human-centred design. Here are its major highlights:
- ✅ Free or Subsidised Homes: The houses will be provided either completely free of cost or on extremely low monthly payments, depending on the applicant’s income status.
- ✅ The programme specifically targets women, babies, crippled individuals, daily wage workers, and landless families.
- ✅ Legal Home Ownership: Beneficiaries will receive official property documents, giving them complete legal rights to their homes.
- ✅ Modern, Safe Living Conditions: Homes will be constructed in well-planned residential colonies equipped with proper roads, clean water, electricity, schools, and healthcare facilities.
- ✅ Women Empowerment: A large number of houses will be allotted to women-headed households, empowering women to live independently and securely.
Where Will the Houses Be Built?
The Punjab government has initiated construction in specific areas, launching the first model housing scheme in Raiwind, Lahore. This colony is specially being created to relocate people from slums and katchi abadis into clean, safe, and organised residential communities.
In the next phases, the project will expand to other major cities and rural areas, including:
- Multan
- Faisalabad
- Rawalpindi
- Sialkot
- Bahawalpur
- Dera Ghazi Khan
- Layyah
- Bhakkar
The government selects each location based on the availability of government land, the intensity of poverty, and the shortage of urban housing.
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure that only the truly deserving get access to these homes, the government has defined clear and strict eligibility guidelines. Applicants must:
- Be permanent residents of Punjab
- Do not own any house, land, or property
- Belong to a low-income or poverty-stricken household
- Possess a valid CNIC
- Submit proof of income (such as BISP registration or income certificate)
- Provide an affidavit declaring landlessness
Widows, disabled citizens, orphans, and those affected by natural disasters or eviction will be given top priority in the selection process.
How to Apply for a House
The application process will be fully digital and transparent, ensuring fairness and ease of access for all. Applicants will soon be able to register through the official Punjab Housing Authority website at:
Required documents include:
- CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card)
- Proof of no property ownership
- Proof of low income
- Domicile of Punjab
Once the government receives applications, it will verify each applicant’s details before shortlisting eligible families for the scheme.
Built for the Future: What These Colonies Will Offer
The homes under this scheme are more than just buildings. Each residential colony will be a complete community, offering:
- Paved streets and streetlights
- Clean drinking water
- Sewage and drainage systems
- Local schools and clinics
- Security measures and boundary walls
- Parks and recreational spaces
These facilities ensure that families not only receive shelter but also enjoy a healthy and decent quality of life.
Public Response and Long-Term Benefits
The announcement of this program has been met with enthusiasm and gratitude among the people of Punjab. Thousands of poor families who have spent years in rented spaces or unsafe slums are now hopeful that they’ll finally have a roof of their own.
Experts believe this scheme will not only reduce homelessness but also improve:
- Children’s education (due to better living conditions)
- Women’s safety and empowerment
- Public health and sanitation
- Social stability and job creation through construction activities
Conclusion: A House Is a Human Right
The “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” initiative represents a significant advancement in addressing Pakistan’s housing crisis, particularly for those who have endured prolonged neglect. The initiative embodies the vision of a compassionate and inclusive Punjab, ensuring that no family experiences homelessness.
Under the leadership of CM Maryam Nawaz, the government is not just giving houses — it is giving people hope, protection, and a future.
This project proves that real change is possible when policies are designed with humanity at their core.
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