Thu, September 17, 2026
Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday launched the “Wazir-e-Azam Apna Ghar Program,” a massive five-year housing initiative worth Rs3.2 trillion that aims to support the construction of 500,000 homes across Pakistan for low-income families who cannot afford to build houses on their own.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the prime minister said the project would not only help thousands of deserving citizens secure homes but would also become a major driver of economic activity by accelerating industrial expansion and creating employment opportunities for workers, engineers, and professionals connected to the construction sector.
“No program is quite as dear to me as this, for it holds the promise of revitalizing our industrial and commercial sectors while paving the way for economic prosperity… This landmark program is the culmination of extensive deliberations and tireless effort, having successfully overcome a myriad of complex challenges,” the prime minister said.
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Housing and Works Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, federal ministers, banking officials, representatives of the construction industry, and beneficiaries of the scheme.
PM Shehbaz termed the “Apna Ghar” project a moral responsibility of the state, saying the initiative was designed to support people who had remained deprived of owning a secure home for years.
The prime minister, after pressing the launch button of the initiative and distributing loan cheques issued by different banks among beneficiaries, stated that the scheme reflected the vision behind the Ashiana housing project introduced during his tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab.
He further clarified that the housing program was not limited to Islamabad and would cover all four provinces along with Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
Sharing details of the initiative, the prime minister said the government had fixed a first-year target of financing 50,000 houses, for which Rs321 billion had already been allocated. Over the next five years, the government plans to facilitate 500,000 housing units under a total financial package of Rs3.2 trillion.
He explained that the scheme offers a repayment period of 20 years, while beneficiaries will pay a 5 percent markup during the first ten years before shifting to the market rate afterward.
Under the program, applicants will be eligible for loans of up to Rs10 million on convenient terms to construct houses on plots measuring up to 10 marlas.
PM Shehbaz extended his gratitude to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for their support in finalizing the financing structure of the project.
He also appreciated Housing Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and his team for their efforts in shaping the initiative.
The premier announced that he would personally monitor the project every month to ensure transparency, timely payments, and immediate correction of any shortcomings.
Addressing the banking sector, PM Shehbaz stated that banks showing outstanding performance in facilitating ordinary citizens through the housing scheme would receive national awards on August 14.
He, however, warned that institutions displaying negligence towards homeless citizens should not expect “anything good” from him.
Earlier, Housing and Works Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada praised the contribution of federal secretaries and other officials who played a key role in making the project possible.
He said the initiative was launched after the establishment of a dedicated task force and noted that surveys had identified a shortage of nearly 10 million housing units in the country.
Discussing reforms within the ministry, Pirzada highlighted the importance of bold administrative measures, including the closure of the Public Works Department (PWD), to align government institutions with the prime minister’s broader vision.
Reiterating his commitment to fulfilling the trust placed in him, the minister also praised the country’s civil and military leadership, saying the nation valued their role in ensuring stability and progress.
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