Over Rs8.5b interest-free loans disbursed under Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar scheme

LAHORE: Punjab’s Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar program achieved historic success, with over Rs8.5 billion interest-free loans disbursed to more than 9,000 people, the provincial government said on Sunday.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s housing project achieved this target of disbursing the high record of microfinance loans in merely a few months, the statement said.

Also read: Inside story of Gandapur’s removal as PTI KP president

A record 400,000 applications and documents were received on the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar portal in a short period of time. In phase I of the project, 5,000 loans issued with the respective number of houses also entering the final stages of completion.

In phase II as well, 3,000 loans were disbursed and construction of houses has begun for them as well.

The Punjab government informed that three impartial microfinance institutions are verifying the applications received on the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar portal. As per the CM’s orders, the target of building 100,000 houses in one year and 500,000 houses in five years will be achieved, the statement said.

Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar project has been launched on acag.punjab.gov.pk portal, with the helpline number 0800-09100.

Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz said, “The state is like a mother and a mother is most concerned about homeless children. Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar will prove to be the best housing project in Pakistan.”

“My heart wants that no one remain homeless in Punjab. Everyone should have the happiness of having their own roof,” she said, adding, “In Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar, no recommendations would work. The loans are given purely on merit.”

Also read: Malik Riaz can’t escape this time, 25 years of illegality ends

The chief minister said that those who receive a loan of Rs1.5 million will have to pay back only the principal amount in nine years, with monthly installments of Rs14,000. “Seeing the houses being built under the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar program makes me as happy as if my own house is being constructed,” she said.