Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was awarded the 2026 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour on Monday for the province’s flagship housing initiative, “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar.” The program focuses on increasing access to safe and affordable housing for low-income families.
The award ceremony took place at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat during the global observance of World Habitat Day. UN-Habitat recognized the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) and its housing scheme for their significant efforts in providing adequate, secure, and affordable homes to economically disadvantaged households.
The selection process was highly competitive, involving nominations from across the globe based on established criteria. Maryam Nawaz described the program as a symbol of hope for low-income families in Punjab and Pakistan. She highlighted that over 200,000 people had benefited from loans under the scheme and reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to building 500,000 houses within five years.
“Safe, dignified, and quality housing is a fundamental right for every citizen, and we are determined to ensure it,” Maryam stated, emphasizing her administration’s pledge to provide a home for every deserving family.
Official data reveals that as of September 10, 2026, interest-free loans totaling Rs259.68 billion had been disbursed to 200,072 applicants throughout Punjab. The program offers interest-free financing to eligible low-income families to construct homes on land they already own. It has been promoted as a vital measure to improve homeownership among families unable to access traditional housing finance.
In a significant development, the UN-Habitat announcement of this recognition was made public in September, when PHATA was informed of its selection for the 2026 Scroll of Honour. UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Marinheiro Centeno Rossbach acknowledged the agency and its program for advancing adequate, safe, and affordable housing for low-income households.
The Scroll of Honour represents one of UN-Habitat’s most prestigious awards, celebrating contributions to adequate housing, sustainable urban development, and improved living conditions. The 2026 awards were presented during the World Habitat Day events in Muscat, which included workshops and discussions aimed at sharing knowledge and experiences in housing and urban planning.
This international recognition comes as the Punjab government continues to expand the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” scheme, positioning it as a cornerstone of its housing policy for low-income families.
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