Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has inaugurated the Punjab Pavilion at the World Urban Forum being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, where Pakistan’s flagship affordable housing initiative — “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” — has been ranked among the top global innovations in urban housing.
Director General PHATA Zeeshan Sikandar briefed the Chief Minister on the programme at the pavilion, after which CM Maryam Nawaz expressed delight at the international recognition the initiative has received. She also took the opportunity to review housing projects being implemented in other developing countries and compare progress on a global scale.
During her visit, the Chief Minister took a live virtual tour of the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme through interactive gadgets and watched a documentary showcasing the construction journey of the project from the ground up. She interacted warmly with the staff at the Punjab Pavilion and appreciated their dedication and hard work.
Speaking to foreign delegates at the pavilion, CM Maryam Nawaz highlighted the success of Punjab’s affordable urban housing initiative and shared key achievements of the programme. International delegations praised her vision and public welfare measures, while foreign media representatives and guests applauded after watching the documentary featuring real beneficiaries of the housing scheme.
The inauguration ceremony witnessed extensive participation from international media organisations, with delegates, global representatives and journalists gathering to meet the Chief Minister and learn more about the programme.
CM Maryam Nawaz said the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme is very close to her heart, adding that loans have been provided without discrimination to help deserving families across Punjab build their own homes. She revealed that 600 to 700 houses are being constructed every single day under the project, and more than 100,000 houses have already been completed within just one year of the scheme’s launch — a remarkable achievement by any standard.
The Punjab Pavilion emerged as one of the most prominent attractions at the World Urban Forum, with international media describing the Punjab government’s rapid implementation of the housing programme as a role model for other developing countries to follow.
