Latest news with #GovtofPunjabPK
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
50,000 loans given under Punjab's 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' project
Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that under the 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' housing scheme, 50,000 citizens have been provided with interest-free loans in just six months. The scheme aims to provide affordable housing to citizens across the province. Addressing the ceremony at the Expo Centre in Lahore, Maryam highlighted the successful disbursement of loans to low-income families, Radio Pakistan reported on Wednesday. "The promise of 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' has been fulfilled, and 50,000 citizens have now received the financial support they need to build their homes," she said. "اپنی چھت اپنا گھر" پاکستان کی تاریخ کا کامیاب ترین ہاؤسنگ پراجیکٹ... وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف نے 6 ماہ میں اپنی چھت اپنا گھر کا وعدہ پورا کر دیا! — Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) August 6, 2025 The event saw thousands of families who have benefited from the scheme, including many women and children. CM Maryam personally met with families who have already started constructing their homes under the project, offering her congratulations and encouragement. "Many of these families, including a rickshaw driver and a woman who spoke of her dream home, have expressed heartfelt gratitude," said the CM. One recipient from Rawalpindi emotionally recounted how his dream of owning a house was finally realised, thanking both Nawaz Sharif and Maryam for making it possible. The scheme provides loans for homes ranging from five to ten marlas, with more than Rs74 billion in interest-free loans already disbursed. The first phase of the project has seen a 99% loan recovery rate. آج جب میں نے اپنی چھت اپنا گھر سے مستفید ہونے والوں سے پوچھا کہ حاضرین میں سے کون کون اپنے گھر کی تعمیر مکمل کر چکا ہے تو ہال میں موجود تمام تین ہزار افراد نے ہاتھ کھڑے کر دیے۔ میرے لیے اس سے زیادہ باعثِ تسکین شاید ہی کوئی لمحہ ہو ! — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 6, 2025 In the briefing, it was shared that more than 37,000 families have already received both installments of their loans, and over 52,000 homes are currently under construction. By the end of the month, 75,000 loans will have been disbursed, with an affordable monthly instalment of just Rs15,000, which has made the repayment process more manageable for beneficiaries. CM Maryam further stated that around 45,000 houses are currently being built under the scheme, and 9,000 homes have already been completed. "This initiative is about providing people with the means to build a better future for themselves and their families," she concluded.
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Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Punjab govt grants lifetime pensions to widows
Listen to article The Punjab government has raised the provincial minimum wage to Rs40,000 per month and ensured lifetime pensions for widows of government employees. The reforms were adopted during the 28th cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, where a comprehensive 130-point agenda was approved. The cabinet approved the allocation of 1,220 flats for industrial workers in Sunder, Kasur and Taxila labour colonies to be distributed through balloting, while firmly rejecting suggestions to charge workers for housing. It also instructed officials to take immediate steps to construct an additional 3,000 flats free of cost for these workers. وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کی زیر صدارت صوبائی کابینہ کا 28واں اجلاس۔۔۔ — Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) August 5, 2025 Education policy saw a major update with official assessments confirmed for Grade V and formal examinations for Grade VIII. Meanwhile, lifelong pensions were approved for widows of government employees, enhancing social protection. A significant wage reform was also approved, with a uniform minimum monthly salary of Rs40,000 set for 102 categories of skilled, semi-skilled and other workers. In recognition of flood rescue efforts, the CM announced Rs50,000 bonuses for the rescue worker while praising the agency's performance and underscored the government's commitment to supporting frontline workers. Expanding on prison reform, the cabinet sanctioned formal industries within correctional facilities where inmates will receive wages, and directed the establishment of a third-party monitoring system for jail operations. Also Read: Opposition slams govt for Kashmir-like treatment at home To promote private investment, approval was granted for an online petrol pump licence portal requiring only six documents instead of sixteen, enabling investors to obtain NOCs digitally—a move described as a 'historical step' toward ease-of-doing-business. Worker safety was also addressed through the adoption of the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health Rules 2024, marking a first in the province. Maryam ordered the creation of a specialised enforcement force to ensure compliance in high-risk sectors such as construction and sewer operations. She emphasised that enacting laws alone is not sufficient—implementation and enforcement at every level are essential, as the lives of poor workers are invaluable. Government officials further approved child labour restrictions via the Punjab Child Labour (Prohibition) Rules 2024, unified appointment procedures for key university administrators, AI‑based traffic systems set to roll out within 90 days, expansion of WASA services to 13 new cities, paid internships for hospital nurses, and various legislative measures covering recruitment, telecom leasing, sugarcane research and local government acts.
