Maryam Nawaz Inaugurates Punjab Pavilion at World Urban Forum in Baku as Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Earns Global Spotlight
Punjab’s flagship affordable housing programme presented among the world’s most innovative urban development projects
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif made headlines on the international stage on Tuesday as she inaugurated the Punjab Pavilion at the prestigious World Urban Forum held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event marked a significant milestone for the province’s urban development agenda, with Punjab’s ambitious affordable housing initiative, Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar, being showcased as one of the most innovative housing projects in the world.
A Proud Moment for Punjab on the Global Stage
The World Urban Forum, widely regarded as the premier global platform for discussing sustainable urbanization, brought together policymakers, urban planners, and development experts from across the globe. Among the many pavilions and exhibition stalls set up at the Urban Expo, the Punjab Pavilion stood out as a key attraction drawing the attention of international delegates, foreign media representatives, and visitors from around the world.
During her visit, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz toured the exhibition stalls where senior officials briefed her on the progress, implementation milestones, and the outreach of the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme. The briefing highlighted both the scale and the impact of the initiative, painting a picture of a housing revolution unfolding across Punjab.
What Is the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Programme?
At its core, Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar is a government-backed affordable housing scheme designed to empower deserving families across Punjab by providing them with accessible, interest-free or subsidized loans to build their own homes. The programme places a strong emphasis on transparency and non-discriminatory loan distribution, ensuring that the benefits reach those who need them the most regardless of political affiliation, social status, or geographic location.
Speaking at the forum, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz described the initiative as a programme built on the principles of fairness and inclusivity. She emphasized that the scheme had already earned recognition on the international stage, a testament to its effectiveness and the scale at which it is being executed.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
The statistics behind the programme are nothing short of remarkable. According to officials present at the event, approximately 600 to 700 houses are being constructed every single day under the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar scheme. Even more impressive is the fact that over 100,000 houses have been completed within just one year of the programme’s launch.
These numbers position Punjab’s housing initiative among the fastest-moving affordable housing projects in the developing world, a fact that was not lost on the international audience at the World Urban Forum.
Interactive Displays, Virtual Tours, and a Powerful Documentary
The Punjab Pavilion was more than just a static exhibition. It featured interactive digital displays that allowed visitors to take a virtual tour of the housing scheme, exploring everything from architectural designs and construction timelines to the communities being built across the province.
A specially produced documentary highlighting the project’s development journey and its real impact on beneficiaries was also screened at the pavilion. The documentary offered a human-centered look at the programme, featuring stories of families who have moved into their new homes and the transformation it has brought to their lives.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also took the opportunity to review affordable housing models from other developing countries, drawing comparisons and gathering insights that could further enhance Punjab’s approach to urban development and housing policy.
International Recognition and Media Attention
The Punjab Pavilion quickly emerged as one of the most visited and talked-about attractions at the World Urban Forum. International delegates praised the scale, speed, and transparency of the housing programme, while foreign media representatives documented the exhibition for their audiences back home.
The recognition at such a high-profile global platform sends a strong signal that Punjab is not just addressing its domestic housing challenges it is setting a benchmark for affordable housing that other developing nations can learn from and replicate.
What This Means for the Future of Housing in Punjab
The global spotlight on the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme at the World Urban Forum is likely to open new doors for Punjab in terms of international partnerships, technical collaborations, and potential funding avenues for expanding the housing initiative even further.
With over 100,000 homes already delivered and hundreds more being built every day, the programme is well on its way to reshaping the housing landscape in Punjab. For millions of families who dream of owning a home, Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar is turning that dream into a reality one brick at a time.
