LAHORE: Punjab’s flagship low-cost housing programme, Apni Chhat Apna Ghar (ACAG), is now positioning itself for global recognition as the provincial government seeks a nomination for the prestigious UN-Habitat award. Officials say the scale, speed and structure of the project place it among the most ambitious public-sector housing drives in South Asia.
Launched in August 2024 to ease the housing burden on low- and middle-income families, ACAG has already disbursed an estimated US $350 million in interest-free loans to more than 105,000 households. These loans enable beneficiaries to construct or upgrade homes on their own land, providing stability to families that have long lived in insecure or overcrowded conditions.
According to PHATA Director General Sikandar Zeeshan, nearly 30,000 homes have been completed so far, out of close to 100,000 currently under construction across the province. He emphasised that this rapid progress reflects a rare combination of administrative reform, financial engineering and digital oversight — elements that the government believes meet international standards of sustainable and inclusive urban development.
The initiative’s operational overhaul includes updated regulations to reduce decades-old procedural delays and the introduction of Joint Venture Rules to draw private-sector developers. The government has also rolled out a digital monitoring system for project tracking, housing market management and beneficiary verification, ensuring transparency and minimising leakages.
Officials argue that ACAG’s impact extends beyond housing construction. The scheme is supporting employment in the construction industry, prioritising assistance for female-headed households, and integrating climate-resilient features into home designs — aligning the programme with global calls for sustainable development.
Securing a UN-Habitat nomination would not only validate the government’s efforts but also signal that Pakistan’s provincial housing strategy can stand shoulder to shoulder with global best practices. Analysts, however, warn that long-term viability will depend on sustained delivery, quality control, and affordability as the programme scales further.
For now, Punjab appears determined to push its housing initiative beyond domestic acclaim and into the international arena.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.