ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday formally launched the “Apna Ghar Scheme,” a government-backed housing initiative aimed at enabling low- and middle-income families to build or own homes through subsidized financing, according to official statements from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Addressing the launch ceremony in Islamabad, the prime minister said expanding access to housing for ordinary citizens remains a key government priority, describing shelter as a “fundamental and sacred duty” of the state.
Under the scheme, eligible applicants will be able to access housing loans of up to Rs10 million ($35,877) on concessional terms for the construction of houses of up to 10 marlas (272.25 square feet), with a repayment period of 20 years.
The government has set a target of constructing 50,000 houses in the first year, with plans to expand the program to 500,000 houses over the next four years.
“The provision of shelter to the common man is the government’s top priority,” PM Sharif said at the ceremony, adding that millions of Pakistanis remain without home ownership despite the country’s population exceeding 240 million.
Officials said the financing model includes a 5% markup for the first 10 years, followed by market-based rates for the remaining 10 years.
The prime minister said the scheme would be implemented nationwide, covering all four provinces, the federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
PM Sharif said he would personally review the program’s implementation on a monthly basis to address operational bottlenecks and ensure timely disbursement of funds.
“I will review this scheme every month so that any obstacle can be removed and payments are made on time,” he said.
The prime minister said the loan application process had been simplified to improve accessibility for applicants.
Highlighting the wider economic impact of the initiative, PM Sharif said the construction sector plays a central role in economic activity, supporting industrial output, skilled trades and employment generation.
“The construction sector drives the wheel of the economy,” he said, noting that multiple industries and crafts are linked to housing development.
During the ceremony, the prime minister distributed loan cheques among successful applicants under the scheme, including beneficiaries from Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the initiative builds on the provincial “Apna Ghar” model introduced during his tenure in Punjab, which he said had laid the groundwork for broader housing access.
The event was attended by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers, parliamentarians and senior government officials.
PM Sharif also announced that banks demonstrating strong performance in housing loan disbursements would receive national recognition on August 14, while institutions falling short of targets would face scrutiny.
The government said additional housing and economic support measures would be unveiled in the upcoming federal budget.
