The Punjab government has expanded its flagship housing programme Apni Chat Apna Ghar to include joint families, allowing them to apply for interest-free home loans to expand their existing houses. This major step aims to support the traditional joint family system in Pakistan while addressing the growing demand for affordable housing in Punjab.

Under the revised policy, joint families can now get easy installment financing to add extra rooms and living space to their homes. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the initiative will promote social harmony and improve living standards, calling it a key part of the government’s long-term housing development and welfare strategy.

According to official data, the Punjab government plans to construct 160,000 houses by June 2026 under the Apni Chat Apna Ghar scheme. Families who do not own land will also benefit through the Apni Zameen Apna Ghar initiative, under which residential plots will be allotted and interest-free loans will be provided for home construction.

In the first phase, 1,534 residential plots will be distributed through a lottery in cities including Jhelum, Kasur, Faisalabad, and Lodhran. The programme has already received massive public interest, with over 1.88 million registrations and more than 1.06 million applications currently under review.

So far, 67,197 houses have been completed, while 53,843 homes are under construction across Punjab. Total loan disbursements under the scheme have reached PKR 164.66 billion, with an impressive 99% recovery rate, reflecting strong public trust in the government’s affordable housing programme.

The Chief Minister has also instructed authorities to speed up the release of pending installments, increase project funding, and develop policies to ensure continued financial support for families in case of the death of a primary applicant. These steps aim to strengthen the sustainability of Punjab’s affordable housing projects and provide long-term security for homeowners.