Home » Punjab Targets 160,000 Homes by June 2026 Under Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Housing Program

Punjab Targets 160,000 Homes by June 2026 Under Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Housing Program

by Haroon Amin
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Punjab’s Apni Chhat Apna Ghar (ACAG) program has become one of Pakistan’s most impactful housing initiatives. Launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, it provides interest-free loans of up to Rs 1.5 million to help low-income families build homes on their own land. The program has now entered full-scale execution, with over 105,000 families receiving loans and a revised target of 160,000 homes by June 2026.

What Is Apni Chhat Apna Ghar?

The “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” program aims to provide 100,000 affordable houses/apartments across Punjab over four and a half years, targeting low-income groups to help them transition from rented or informal living conditions to homeownership.

The program is implemented by the Punjab Housing & Town Planning Agency (PHATA) and overseen by the Housing, Urban Development, and Public Health Engineering Department (HUD&PHED). The government covers 60% of costs as a subsidy, while beneficiaries pay the remaining 40% through affordable monthly installments.

Progress and Achievements So Far

The scheme has moved far beyond its planning stage. Here are the key milestones:

  • A total of 30,600 houses have been constructed in record time, and approximately 105,700 families have received loans, with a second installment disbursed to 69,200 families to complete construction.
  • Over 18.8 million users are registered under the housing programme, with more than 10.66 million applicants actively seeking benefits.
  • Construction of 700 houses is underway on a daily basis.
  • The government has disbursed Rs 74 billion in interest-free loans for 5 to 10 marla houses.
  • The scheme maintains an impressive 99.9% loan recovery rate.
  • As of May 2025, over Rs 924 million had been recovered from 25,500+ loans, reflecting a strong repayment culture among beneficiaries.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the ACAG scheme, applicants must meet these requirements:

  • Residency: Must be a permanent resident of Punjab with a valid CNIC
  • Family status: Must be the head of the family as per NADRA records
  • Land ownership: Must own a plot of up to 5 marla in urban areas or up to 10 marla in rural areas
  • NSER registration: Must be registered with the National Socio-Economic Registry with a PMT score of 60% or less
  • Clean record: No criminal record and no status as a financial defaulter
  • Special quotas exist for women, differently-abled individuals, and minorities.

Loan Details and Repayment Plan

The scheme offers a completely interest-free loan of up to PKR 1.5 million. This loan is disbursed in tranches based on construction progress to ensure funds are used properly.

Key repayment terms include:

  • Monthly installment: Rs 14,000
  • Loan tenure: 7 years (extendable to 9 years in some cases)
  • Grace period: 3 months before first installment
  • First 3 installments waived to reduce initial financial burden
  • Funds disbursed through Bank of Punjab and other partner institutions

Early Repayment Rebates

A 20 per cent concession is available for full repayment within one to three years, while borrowers repaying within four to six years can avail a 10 per cent discount. These rebates reward disciplined borrowers and accelerate the revolving fund.

Three Execution Models

The ACAG program operates through three distinct models to maximize reach:

Model 1 — State Land Development (10,000 units): In this model, there is collaboration between the Punjab Housing & Town Planning Agency and developers to construct homes on the state land, with a land equity arrangement between PHATA and developers.

Model 2 — Private Developer Collaboration (20,000 units): This model is designed for medium-sized districts, using digital monitoring, computerized allocation, and beneficiary tracking to ensure fair distribution and faster approvals.

Model 3 — Self-Build Loans (70,000 units): This is the largest model, providing interest-free construction loans directly to landowners. Beneficiaries build on their own plots under PHATA guidelines.

Read more: Punjab launches Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar initiative to provide free residential plots

How to Apply Online

Registration is handled through the official ACAG portal. Follow these steps:

  1. Visit acag.punjab.gov.pk
  2. Click “Register” and enter your full name, CNIC, father’s name, gender, email, mobile number, and location
  3. Create a password and submit the registration form
  4. Log in with your CNIC and password
  5. Complete the certification form and then fill the full application
  6. Upload required documents and submit

Citizens can call 0800-09100 to seek information about the program.

Offline Application Option

On the special instructions of CM Maryam Nawaz, the facility of offline application has been introduced. Applicants who cannot apply online can go to the registration desk of the ACAG scheme at the Deputy Commissioner Office of their district and submit the offline application.

Phase 2: Expanded Scope in 2026

The Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Program Phase 2, launched under CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif, expanded the scheme further in 2026, making it more inclusive for joint families, women applicants, and people who could not complete registration in the first phase.

The government has set a bold target of constructing 160,000 homes by June 2026. This represents a significant increase from the original 100,000-home goal.

Joint Family Inclusion

CM Maryam Nawaz described the programme as a “golden gift” to Punjab. The initiative now includes joint families under its scope, providing them with specialized facilities to enlarge their homes while keeping the essence of shared living spaces intact.

Companion Scheme: Apni Zameen Apna Ghar

For families who do not own land, the government launched a companion initiative. CM Maryam Nawaz launched the “Apni Zameen Apna Ghar” scheme offering free residential plots, with the first phase distributing 1,892 plots across 23 housing schemes in 19 districts.

The program offers free 3-marla (675 sq. ft.) plots to eligible low-income residents, along with access to interest-free construction loans through the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” companion scheme. Once a plot is allotted, beneficiaries can apply for the ACAG loan to begin construction.

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare the following documents:

  • Valid CNIC (front and back)
  • Proof of land ownership (Fard, Registry, or Allotment Letter)
  • Income proof or salary certificate
  • NSER/PMT score record
  • Recent passport-size photograph
  • Active mobile number registered in applicant’s name

Key Takeaways

The Apni Chhat Apna Ghar program has transformed from a policy announcement into Pakistan’s fastest-executing housing initiative. With over 105,000 loans disbursed, 700 homes rising daily, and a revised target of 160,000 homes by mid-2026, the scheme delivers measurable results. Phase 2 registration is open on acag.punjab.gov.pk. Eligible families should apply now and call the helpline at 0800-09100 for assistance.

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