Low-cost housing project to be expanded every year: Maryam

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met Founder and Chairman of Akhuwat Dr Amjad Saqib here on Sunday and shared with him her government’s welfare programmes.

She said, “We will fulfil the dream of low-income people of having their own house, across the province.

“The low-cost housing programme has been launched in selected districts of Punjab and the provincial government will extend its scope every year.”

Maryam claimed that ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' [Own roof, own house] programme would be one of the biggest and economical residential projects in the history of Pakistan. “The basic aim of the project is to provide a residence to the financially weak segments of society,” she added.

The CM said: “The Punjab government will provide subsidies to reduce financial burden on people, and will also fix soft-term monthly instalments. Durable and environment-friendly construction of houses will be promoted under the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar program.

“Lakhs of people will be provided employment and lakhs of families will enjoy a better lifestyle with the launch of the revolutionary housing project,” she added.

Maryam said the project consisted of three parts: (a) owners of residential plots of 10 marlas in rural areas, and 5 marlas in urban areas could obtain loans worth Rs15 lakh. Under the project, approximately Rs14,000 would be the monthly instalment to pay back the interest-free loan.

(b) The government would construct four-storey flats in big cities on the state lands. These flats would be provided to people on easy instalments through balloting.

(c) the government will construct 3-5 marla houses in private housing schemes and provide a subsidy worth Rs10 lakh for construction of every house in the private housing projects. The applicants in the private housing project could become owner of his house by paying back remaining instalments in five years.

She lauded social services of Akhuwat, being rendered under the leadership of Dr Amjad Saqib. Dr Amjad appreciated CM Maryam Nawaz on provision of mega relief in electricity bills, along with launching of 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' programme.

Separately, CM Maryam Nawaz, in her message on the death anniversary of Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani, said: “Syed Ali Geelani will remain alive across the globe by remaining a glorious example of an immortal freedom movement. The usurper forces always remained fearful of Ali Geelani for being an audacious leader of Kashmir freedom movement.

“The history will write with golden letters the unprecedented struggle of Syed Ali Geelani in the liberation movement of Kashmir.''