Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced remarkable progress under the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ housing scheme, revealing that 45,000 houses are currently under construction province-wide to fulfill the dreams of low-income families. During a loan disbursement ceremony held in Lahore, the Chief Minister announced this major milestone, noting that 9,000 homes have already been completed, providing tangible relief and stability to thousands of beneficiaries across Punjab.

This initiative is anchored in delivering interest-free loans for home construction designed specifically to empower those earning modest incomes. A staggering 64,000 such loans have been distributed to date, with beneficiaries repaying the amounts through affordable installments of Rs15,000 per month over nine years a model that demonstrates both ambition and social inclusion.

As the scheme gains momentum, officials expect to reach 75,000 loans disbursed by the end of this month, reinforcing the government’s commitment to widespread, meaningful impact. The Chief Minister emphasized that these achievements would not have been possible without meritocratic implementation. Families from urban and rural regions alike many of whom previously rented or lived in makeshift shelters are now underway to become homeowners.

Beyond numbers, CM Maryam believes this program reflects a deeper shift in governance, where service delivery replaces symbolic politics. She challenged critics to produce any evidence of favoritism, insisting that allocations were processed via transparent and equitable frameworks. Importantly, she clarified that the scheme is not Lahore-centric; development across South Punjab and beyond has been equally prioritized, extending its reach to 19 districts under the coordination of the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA).

Underlining sustainability, the Chief Minister set an ambitious goal: constructing 150,000 homes annually, translating to half a million units over five years. This vision encompasses supporting labourers, schoolteachers, shopkeepers, and tradespeople offering each the dignity of housing through access to affordable credit and systematic support.

The program’s success has begun to draw attention beyond Pakistan’s borders, with CM Maryam expressing hope that it could become a global model for housing reform. Already, the scheme is credited with transforming the lives of individuals who once toiled brick by brick building houses for others, and are now building their own.

This transformative initiative is complemented by other welfare measures introduced during the same ceremony including the rollout of 1,100 electric buses at low fares, comprehensive plans to address water scarcity, and expansion of public services across the province. But the centerpiece remains the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ program, which is reshaping not just the physical landscape of Punjab but the social contract between the government and its citizens.

As construction continues and homes rise from blueprints to reality, the impact of empowerment through shelter becomes ever more profound.