Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has initiated a housing program named “Apni Zameen Apna Ghar” (My Land, My Home), aimed at providing free residential plots to low-income and homeless individuals across the province.
In a significant move towards realizing her vision of “Housing for All,” CM Maryam Nawaz introduced the “Apni Zameen Apna Ghar” program in early 2025. This scheme offers free 3-marla (675 sq.ft.) residential plots to eligible low-income residents of Punjab, coupled with the added benefit of interest-free construction loans under the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” (My Roof, My Home) program.
The initiative is being implemented by the Punjab Housing & Town Planning Agency (PHATA), operating under the administrative oversight of the Housing, Urban Development, and Public Health Engineering Department (HUD&PHED).
First Phase and District Coverage
In its initial phase, the scheme will distribute 1,892 free plots across 23 housing schemes located 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.
Subsequent phases are expected to extend coverage to all districts within Punjab. The provincial government aims to construct 100,000 houses within a 4.5-year timeframe, benefiting both low-income and middle-income families.
Key Features of Apni Zameen Apna Ghar
Free ownership of 3-marla plots (675 sq. ft.) for qualifying families. Interest-free construction loans of up to Rs1.5 million, repayable over seven years at a monthly installment of Rs14,000. Preference will be given to vulnerable groups such as widows, orphans, differently-abled individuals, and laborers. A transparent balloting system will be used for plot allocation, overseen by an eight-member district-level committee. There is zero application fee to prevent exploitation and ensure inclusivity.
Eligibility Criteria for Apni Zameen Apna Ghar
To be eligible for the “Apni Zameen Apna Ghar” scheme, applicants must: Be permanent residents of Punjab (as per their National Identity Card – CNIC). Apply only within their district of domicile. Not own any property in Pakistan (including their spouse or dependent children). Be registered with the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) with a Poverty Measurement Tool (PMT) score of 60 or below. Have a total monthly household income of less than Rs50,000. Be 18 years of age or older (married individuals will be given priority). Have no criminal record or history of loan defaults. Be the head of a nuclear family (as verified by the National Database and Registration Authority – NADRA). For the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar (loan) component: Applicants must already own a plot of land (5-marla in urban areas or 10-marla in rural areas) to qualify for house construction support.
Application Procedure for Apni Zameen Apna Ghar
Online Application:
Applicants can apply through the official online 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 (of the applicant and their spouse) Proof of Punjab residency (utility bill or domicile certificate) NADRA Family Registration Certificate (FRC) Income verification or an affidavit (for informal sector workers) NSER verification (PMT score ≤ 60)
Offline Application:
Individuals without internet access can visit their local Deputy Commissioner (DC) office. Dedicated scheme desks will be available to provide free assistance with document submission and registration.
Construction Loan Process for Apni Zameen Apna Ghar
Applicants who are allotted plots under the program can avail an interest-free construction loan of up to Rs1.5 million. The process includes: Confirmation of plot ownership. Submission of required documents via acag.punjab.gov.pk or the DC office. Verification of documents by relevant government departments. Loan disbursement in installments, with a three-month grace period before repayments begin. Monthly repayment of Rs14,000 over a period of seven years. As of May 2025, over Rs924 million has been recovered from more than 25,500 loans, indicating a strong repayment ethic among the beneficiaries.
Transparency and Oversight for Apni Zameen Apna Ghar
To ensure fair and transparent allocation of resources, the government has established eight-member district-level committees comprising public officials and representatives from civil society. Registration with the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry (PSER) has also been made mandatory, and applicants are advised to complete their surveys at pser.punjab.gov.pk.
Applicants are cautioned against potential fraudsters, as no fees are required at any stage of the application process. The public is encouraged to report any instances of misconduct via the dedicated helpline (0800-09100) or lodge complaints at complaints.punjab.gov.pk.
Socio-Economic Impact
This housing initiative is expected to: Improve the living conditions of low-income families. Reduce overcrowding and the proliferation of slum settlements. Enhance access to essential services such as water, sanitation, and electricity. Promote safety and foster community development. Generate up to 500,000 jobs within the construction sector.
The “Apni Zameen Apna Ghar” and “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” schemes represent a significant shift in Punjab’s housing policy, directly addressing structural poverty and housing insecurity. By prioritizing transparency and affordability, the Punjab government is setting a commendable precedent for other provinces to follow.
For the latest updates, citizens are advised to regularly visit acag.punjab.gov.pk and punjab.gov.pk.
