ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan has announced a significant update to the “Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Program,” now extending housing finance opportunities to overseas Pakistanis and individuals from the private sector.
The decision was announced following an Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The committee also approved key projects across various sectors and sanctioned technical grants for ongoing initiatives.
Under the revised program, housing loans under the Apna Ghar scheme will now be accessible to overseas Pakistanis, providing them an opportunity to purchase or build homes in the country. Private sector participants will also be eligible for financing under the initiative.
Other approvals during the ECC meeting included:
Narowal: PKR 10 crore for the construction of the Faiz Ahmed Faiz Complex.
Islamabad: PKR 35 crore technical grant for Danish School Kuri.
Special Events & Programs: Approximately PKR 6 crore for Independence Day and Mairaka-e-Haq celebrations.
Electric Vehicles: Approval for the second phase of the Promotion of Electric Vehicles Program, aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Immigration & Passports Department: PKR 2.5 billion grant for salaries, operational expenses, and liabilities.
National Steel Complex: Gas supply approval to support industrial and power usage.
Power Sector: Uniform application of “Use of System Charges” across all DISCOs and K-Electric.
The expansion of the Apna Ghar program is being hailed as a major step to facilitate homeownership for overseas Pakistanis while strengthening private sector participation in national housing initiatives.
PM Shehbaz launches ‘Apna Ghar Scheme’ across all provinces
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially launched the “Apna Ghar Scheme” and distributed loan approval cheques to deserving individuals. This scheme provides loans of up to Rs 10 million to eligible individuals on easy terms. It will be implemented in all four provinces of the country, as well as in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that providing shelter to the people is a sacred responsibility and one of the government’s top priorities. He congratulated the successful candidates who received loans, stating that this initiative is a significant step toward making the dream of “Ghar Ho To Apna” a reality.
The loans under this scheme will be provided for a period of 20 years, with an initial target set to finance the construction of 50,000 houses. A total allocation of Rs 321 billion has been designated for this project, aiming to construct 500,000 houses over the next four years.
The total volume of this scheme is Rs 3.2 trillion, allowing for the construction of houses on plots up to 10 marla in size. The Prime Minister assured that he would personally review the progress of this project on a monthly basis to ensure transparent and effective implementation.
At the ceremony, various individuals, including a driver named Ghulam Hussain, were presented with loan checks for house construction. The Prime Minister stated that this scheme represents a ray of hope for millions who have been denied the opportunity to own a home.
Shehbaz Sharif further noted that the construction sector is the backbone of the country’s economy, and this scheme will not only benefit individuals but also strengthen the economy as a whole. He announced that the banks involved in the scheme will be honoured on August 14.
Additionally, the Prime Minister mentioned that the government is taking steps to promote exports. Prominent exporters have been granted honorary ambassador status and have received blue passports valid for two years.
