Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has received the prestigious UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award 2026 for the province’s “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” housing programme.
The award was presented on October 5 during the World Habitat Day ceremony at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat, Oman. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) recognized the initiative for expanding access to safe, adequate and affordable housing for low-income families.
The “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme was launched to help eligible families build homes on land they already own through interest-free financing. According to official figures, Rs259.68 billion in interest-free loans had been distributed to more than 200,000 applicants across Punjab by September 10, 2026.
UN-Habitat selected the programme after a competitive review of housing initiatives from around the world. The award recognizes contributions to affordable housing, sustainable urban development and improved living conditions.
Maryam Nawaz dedicated the international recognition to the homeless people of Punjab. She said the programme had become a symbol of hope for low-income families and reiterated the provincial government’s goal of constructing 500,000 houses within five years.
The recognition places Punjab’s housing initiative among the international programmes being acknowledged by UN-Habitat for their efforts to improve access to housing and support vulnerable communities.
