Punjab CM approves 3 models for govt’s housing project

LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will launch a housing project for the people of Punjab on August 14, the independence day of Pakistan.

Work on the project, ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ [Own Roof, Own House], is under way swiftly, according to official sources.

On Sunday, the CM presided over a meeting and gave approval in-principle to three models for the small housing units. Under the pilot project, models of houses were presented to the chief minister. She ordered for including a living room also in the model houses maps.

The CM restrained the authorities concerned from receiving any service charges from the loan-seekers for building their homes. She ordered to introduce a toll free number to facilitate people for the project. On the directions of CM Punjab, the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) would prepare a special portal under ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ programme. Aspirants may submit their applications online by sitting at their homes.

Housing Secretary Capt. (retd) Asadullah Khan told the meeting forms for the project could be acquired from the offices of deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners.

The plot owners of 1 to 5 marlas could acquire interest-free loans for building a house, he added. They would be provided the facility to pay their loans on soft instalments.

The meeting was informed that 3- and 5-marla houses would be given to the Punjab Housing and Town Planning (PHATA) allottees in the private schemes. PHATA allottees will pay house loans in five years on getting a house in the private scheme.

The meeting was told that the Punjab government would give a subsidy in order to reduce burden of construction cost of a house in the private scheme. Seventy thousand plot owners could acquire a loan in any city or a village. Interest-free loans would be granted to owners of 5-marla plot for construction of a house. The Punjab government would pay the service charges on the grant of a loan through the microfinance institutions.

Separately, CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz said in her message on the police martyrs day: “4th of August can never be forgotten as this day reminds us of martyrs’ sacrifices.

“A nation turns out successful which pays tributes to their martyrs. We will never compromise on the respect of the martyrs.”

The CM said, “I salute the great sacrifices of all our martyrs. The Martyrs Day is a day to pay homage to the great sacrifices of the brave sons of the land. The martyrs will always remain alive in our hearts.”