Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched a housing initiative titled "Apni Zameen Apna Ghar," aimed at providing free residential plots to the poor and homeless across the province.

In a significant step toward realizing her vision of Housing for All, CM Maryam Nawaz introduced the “Apni Zameen Apna Ghar” programme in early 2025. The scheme offers free 3-marla (675 sq.ft.) residential plots to eligible low-income residents of Punjab, with an added facility of interest-free construction loans under the umbrella of the "Apni Chhat Apna Ghar" programme.

The initiative is being implemented by the Punjab Housing & Town Planning Agency (PHATA), under the administrative supervision of the Housing, Urban Development, and Public Health Engineering Department (HUD&PHED).

First phase and district coverage

In its first phase, the scheme will provide 1,892 free plots across 23 housing schemes in 19 districts, including:
Attock, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Jhang, Jhelum, Kasur, Khushab, Layyah, Lodhran, Mandi Bahauddin, Okara, Rajanpur, Sahiwal, Sargodha, and Vehari.

Further phases are expected to expand coverage to all districts of Punjab. The provincial government aims to construct 100,000 houses within 4.5 years, benefitting both the poor and middle-income families.

Key features of Apni Zameen Apna Ghar

Free ownership of 3-marla plots (675 sq. ft.) for eligible families.
Interest-free construction loans of up to Rs1.5 million, repayable over seven years at Rs14,000/month.
Preference given to vulnerable groups such as widows, orphans, differently-abled individuals, and labourers.
Transparent balloting system for allotment of plots, overseen by an eight-member district-level committee.
Zero application fee to prevent exploitation and ensure inclusivity.

Eligibility Criteria for Apni Zameen Apna Ghar

To qualify for the “Apni Zameen Apna Ghar” scheme, applicants must:

Be permanent residents of Punjab (as per CNIC).
Apply only within their home district.
Not own any property in Pakistan (including spouse or dependent children).
Be registered with the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) with a PMT score of 60 or below.
Have a monthly household income less than Rs50,000.
Be aged 18 years or older (married individuals are prioritized).
Have no criminal record or history of loan defaults.
Be the head of a nuclear family (as verified by NADRA).
For Apni Chhat Apna Ghar: Must already own a parcel of land (5-marla in urban or 10-marla in rural areas) to qualify for house construction support.

Application Procedure for Apni Zameen Apna Ghar

Online Application:

Applicants can apply via the official portals:

For Apni Zameen Apna Ghar: azag.punjab.gov.pk
For Apni Chhat Apna Ghar (loan facility): acag.punjab.gov.pk

Required Documents:

Valid CNIC (applicant and spouse)
Proof of Punjab residency (utility bill or domicile)
NADRA family registration certificate
Income verification or affidavit (for informal workers)
NSER verification (PMT ≤ 60)

Offline Application:

Those without internet access can visit their local Deputy Commissioner (DC) office. Dedicated scheme desks will provide free assistance for document submission and registration.

Construction Loan Process for Apni Zameen Apna Ghar

Applicants allotted plots under the program can avail an interest-free construction loan of Rs1.5 million. The process involves:

Confirming plot ownership.
Submitting required documents via acag.punjab.gov.pk or DC office.
Verification of documents by relevant departments.
Loan disbursal in instalments, with a three-month grace period.
Monthly repayment of Rs14,000 over seven years.

As of May 2025, over Rs924 million has been recovered from 25,500+ loans, reflecting a strong repayment culture among beneficiaries.

Transparency and Oversight for Apni Zameen Apna Ghar

To ensure fair and transparent allocation, the government has formed eight-member district-level committees comprising public officials and civil society representatives. The Punjab Socio-Economic Registry (PSER) has also been made mandatory, and beneficiaries are advised to complete their surveys at pser.punjab.gov.pk.

Applicants are warned against fraudsters, as no fees are required at any stage. The public is encouraged to report any misconduct via the helpline (0800-09100) or lodge complaints at complaints.punjab.gov.pk.

Socio-Economic Impact

The housing initiative is expected to:

Improve living conditions for low-income families.
Reduce overcrowding and slum settlements.
Enhance access to water, sanitation, and electricity.
Promote safety and community development.
Generate up to 500,000 jobs in the construction sector.

The “Apni Zameen Apna Ghar” and “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” schemes represent a paradigm shift in Punjab’s housing policy, directly targeting structural poverty and housing insecurity. By prioritizing transparency and affordability, the Punjab government is setting a precedent for other provinces to follow.

For updates, citizens are advised to regularly check acag.punjab.gov.pk and punjab.gov.pk.