LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore : Riaz Hussain ReNws Pakistan Managing Director of the Lahore Horticulture Agency, Ahmed Usman Javed, visited Adda Plot, Jati Umra Road and adjoining areas to inspect ongoing horticulture, plantation and beautification work along with the green belts. During the visit, Horticulture Director Abdullah Nisar Cheema briefed the managing director on the progress of work at various locations and measures being taken to improve the green belts. Ahmed Usman Javed also interacted with horticulture workers and gardeners at the sites and reviewed details of the ongoing activities. The managing director directed the relevant officials to further improve the greenery and visual appearance of green belts along Adda Plot, Jati Umra Road and surrounding areas. He said special attention was being given to plantation, maintenance and beautification of green belts along the city’s major roads. Ahmed Usman Javed said the Lahore Horticulture Agency was taking effective measures to increase greenery and improve the urban environment in line with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Green Lahore” vision. He also instructed officials to ensure that plantation and beautification work is carried out in accordance with prescribed standards and that regular maintenance of the green belts is maintained.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has opened online applications for the Apni Chhat Mehfooz Chhat scheme, offering interest free loans of up to Rs 1 million to eligible families seeking to repair, strengthen or expand their existing homes. The initiative has been introduced under the broader Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing programme and is primarily aimed at supporting lower income households living in homes that require structural repairs or additional residential space. Applications for the scheme can now be submitted online through the official Apni Chhat Apna Ghar portal, where a dedicated application option for Apni Chhat Mehfooz Chhat has been made available. Under the financing structure, eligible homeowners whose houses have weak, damaged or potentially unsafe roofs can apply for an interest free loan of up to Rs 500,000. The financing can be used for roof repairs and structural strengthening intended to improve the safety and condition of existing houses. The initiative could provide financial assistance to households that may otherwise struggle to meet the cost of essential repairs to deteriorating residential structures. Beneficiaries receiving the maximum Rs 500,000 financing facility are expected to repay approximately Rs 4,700 per month over a repayment period of nine years. The programme also provides a larger financing option for families that require additional residential space. Eligible households seeking to construct an additional room or another floor on their existing house can apply for an interest free loan of up to Rs 1 million. For the maximum Rs 1 million financing facility, the monthly repayment is expected to be approximately Rs 9,300, according to details announced for the programme. The repayment structure is designed to spread the cost over several years while avoiding interest charges, potentially making home improvement and expansion more accessible to households with limited financial resources. Another significant feature of the programme is that the Punjab government will bear loan processing fees and administrative charges, reducing the upfront expenses applicants would otherwise have to pay while obtaining financing. The scheme effectively introduces two major financing categories. Homeowners requiring repairs or strengthening of unsafe roofs can seek up to Rs 500,000, while households requiring additional living space can apply for up to Rs 1 million for construction of another room or floor. The programme comes as the Punjab government continues to expand its housing initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable residential financing and supporting families seeking to construct or improve their homes. How to Apply Eligible applicants can submit their applications through the official Apni Chhat Apna Ghar portal. Applicants are required to register on the portal or log in to an existing account, select the Apni Chhat Mehfooz Chhat application option and choose the appropriate financing category. They will then be required to provide the necessary personal and property related information before submitting their application for consideration. The availability of an entirely online application mechanism is expected to make the programme accessible to eligible households across Punjab without requiring applicants to begin the process through conventional physical application channels. The scheme expands the scope of Punjab’s housing support beyond construction of new homes by providing financing for families that already own houses but need financial assistance to make those properties safer or accommodate growing household requirements.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Under the Punjab government’s “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” programme, interest free housing loans have so far been disbursed to 180,297 families for the construction of their homes, with the total value of loans distributed reaching Rs 232.09 billion. Director General PHATA Sikandar Zeeshan met Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Bilal Yasin and gave him a detailed briefing on the progress of the programme, including the status of applications, loan disbursements and ongoing house construction. According to the briefing, the programme’s online portal has so far received 1,456,664 applications, of which 1,079,224 have completed the scrutiny process. Bilal Yasin said that among the families who received loans under the programme, 109,946 have completed construction of their homes, while work on another 39,943 houses is currently underway. A total of Rs232.09 billion in loans has been disbursed under the programme so far. In addition, Rs19.561 billion has been allocated for the provision of loans to another 13,314 families. The housing minister said the provision of interest free loans to deserving families was an important step towards helping low income households secure their own homes. He added that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz would soon begin disbursing loans to applicants from the initial phase of the programme. Authorities in all districts have also been directed to ensure the timely distribution of loans to eligible families. Bilal Yasin further instructed officials to accelerate implementation of the programme while ensuring transparency and merit throughout the application scrutiny and loan disbursement process.