Latest news with #PunjabHousingandTownPlanningAgency
Express Tribune
27-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Legislation initiated to boost home ownership
Acting on the Punjab government's directive, the housing department has begun drafting legislation to expand affordable housing and make home ownership more accessible across the province. The initiative aims to integrate low-cost, inclusive housing into both public and private sector development, with a focus on placing new homes in areas that offer reliable access to schools, healthcare, transportation, and essential utilities. The legislative effort will introduce a standardised regulatory framework across all development authorities in Punjab, including the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA), Central Business District Authority (CBDA), and district-level entities. This alignment is intended to guarantee uniform housing standards and equitable opportunities regardless of location. A spokesperson for the housing department said the new rules would incorporate Corporate Social Responsibility-based mandates, requiring developers to dedicate a portion of their projects specifically for affordable housing. Developers will be legally obligated to participate in inclusive urban growth, reinforcing the government's commitment to sustainable development and social equity. In parallel, the 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' programme continues to gain momentum as a key component of the housing strategy. The interest-free loan scheme for low-income families has benefited over 60,000 households, with total applications surpassing 1.5 million — an indication of broad public engagement. For the 2024-25 fiscal year, the programme exceeded its target of 47,000 families by providing loans to over 51,000 applicants. At a recent meeting, Housing Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal praised the programme's performance and reaffirmed that the initiative is being implemented without bias or discrimination. Officials who visited completed housing units claimed satisfaction among beneficiaries. The housing initiative provides interest-free loans.
Express Tribune
03-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Punjab's Apni Zameen Apna Ghar scheme: Eligibility criteria and how to apply for free plot
Listen to article Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the Apni Zameen Apna Ghar initiative, a flagship welfare programme aimed at providing free residential plots to the province's poorest and homeless citizens. The first phase of the scheme will allocate 1,892 free 3-marla plots across 23 low-income housing projects in 19 districts. The initiative is being managed by the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency, under the administrative oversight of the Housing, Urban Development, and Public Health Engineering Department. The programme is part of CM Maryam Nawaz's broader 'Housing for All' vision and is designed to benefit those who meet eligibility criteria. Districts Included in Phase One Attock, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Jhang, Jhelum, Kasur, Khushab, Layyah, Lodhran, Mandi Bahauddin, Okara, Rajanpur, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Vehari Who is Eligible? Must hold permanent residence status in Punjab as per CNIC Applications are only accepted within the applicant's native district Applicant, spouse, and dependent children must not own any property in Pakistan Clean criminal record is mandatory Applicant must not be a bank or financial institution defaulter Submission of false or misleading information will result in disqualification How to Apply Apply online via the official portal:
1726722687-0%2FExpress-Tribune-Web-(9)1726722687-0.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Express Tribune
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Action launched against Ramazan aid extortion
On the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, action has been launched against those involved in extorting money from the beneficiaries of the Ramazan package. During the action in Kasur, Bhakkar and Gujranwala, three suspects were arrested and the agents involved in the illegal business were blacklisted. In Kasur, Bilal, who illegally took Rs500 of the amount of Rs10,000 under the Ramazan package was arrested. The police sealed a mobile phone shops and a retail outlet in Bhakkar, registered cases against suspects and confiscated the machines used in the transactions. Taking strict notice of incidents of extorting extra money from the beneficiaries, the chief minister had directed the police and administration to launch a crackdown against the violators under the law. She said, "Those who grabbed illegal money from the poor and needy do not deserve any leniency." She appealed to the recipients of the Ramazan package to immediately call the relevant toll-free number in case of any complaint. She said the Punjab government was providing cash to the deserving people through digital technology to save them from standing in the long queues. Tax deduction The government has also barred banks from deducting taxes on financial assistance disbursed under the Ramazan Package for underprivileged citizens, following complaints from beneficiaries. The decision comes after several citizens reported that banks were levying a Rs1,000 tax on their payments. In response, Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza convened a meeting on Wednesday with senior executives from leading commercial banks and financial institutions along with Additional Deputy Commissioner General Muhammad Shojain Vistro. The DC expressed strong disapproval of the deductions and emphasised the need for transparency in the distribution process. He directed the banks to ensure that the recipients received the full financial support intended under the Ramazan Package, without any unwarranted tax deductions. As a result of the discussions, officials reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing financial relief during Ramazan. Raza reiterated that all payments under the package would be exempt from taxation, ensuring that beneficiaries received their full entitlements. Housing scheme Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a meeting to review issues related to the three-Marla free plot scheme besides the provision of loans to beneficiaries for building their own houses. She directed the authorities concerned to improve and rehabilitate the previous 23 schemes of the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) in 19 districts, and directed them to take immediate steps for the release of funds for the purpose. The chief minister said, "There is a lot of concern about providing roofs to homeless people. It gives me great pleasure to see people's houses being built under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' programme." Earlier, the PHATA director general gave a detailed briefing about the progress made so far on the housing programme. He said repayment of loans under the programme had begun. "The repayment rate of loans taken under the programme is 100 per cent," he added. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was informed that 9,661 houses were nearing completion in ten province under the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme. She directed the PHATA authorities to ensure that the target sent for the ongoing month was met.
