Punjab unveils ‘Apni Chhat, Mehfooz Chhat’ portal, cuts loan instalments to make safer homes affordable

• CM Maryam says scheme launched in memory of Kahna roof collapse victims to improve housing safety

• Says Interest-free loans of Rs500,000 for roof strengthening, Rs1 million for home expansion

• Monthly repayment reduced to Rs4,700–Rs9,300 to ease burden on low-income families

• Lauds security forces for eliminating 24 terrorists in successful Bannu operation

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday digitally launched the “Apni Chhat, Mehfooz Chhat” (My Roof, Safe Roof) portal, a housing safety initiative introduced in memory of the children who lost their lives in the Kahna roof collapse tragedy, saying every family deserved a safe and secure home because a house was not merely a structure of bricks and mortar but “a symbol of protection and security.”

Launching the initiative, the chief minister thanked the Housing Department for developing the online portal and directed that the monthly instalment under the interest-free loan scheme be reduced from Rs14,000 to approximately Rs4,700 to Rs9,300, making the programme more affordable and accessible for financially disadvantaged and low-income households.

وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب مريم نواز نے انسانی خدمت کی اعلیٰ مثال قائم کر دی!
"اپنی چھت ، محفوظ چھت" پراجیکٹ کا پورٹل لانچ ، ہیلپ لائن جاری۔
اب پنجاب کے شہری اپنے گھر کی چھت کو مضبوط بنانے کے لیے 5 لاکھ روپے اور اضافی کمرے یا دوسری منزل کی تعمیر کے لیے 10 لاکھ روپے کا بلا سود قرض صرف… pic.twitter.com/b9wm8MD7lh

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 17, 2026

Under the scheme, Punjab residents will be eligible for an interest-free loan of Rs500,000 to strengthen and secure the roofs of their homes. An interest-free loan of up to Rs1 million will also be available for constructing additional rooms or adding a second storey.

CM Maryam Nawaz appreciated Provincial Housing Minister Bilal Yasin, Housing Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal and their team for developing the project.

وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف نے "اپنی چھت، محفوظ چھت" پراجیکٹ کا ڈیجیٹل پورٹل لانچ کرتے ہوئے اس منصوبے کو سانحہ کاہنہ کے شہید بچوں کے نام منسوب کر دیا۔ اس پراجیکٹ میں 5 لاکھ تک کا بلا سود قرضہ 4700 روپے ماہانہ اقساط کے ساتھ فراہم کیا جائے گا۔

یہ منصوبہ محفوظ رہائش، آسان مالی… pic.twitter.com/jCAZbCL08T

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 17, 2026

During a briefing, the provincial housing minister informed the chief minister that citizens could submit applications online through acag.punjab.gov.pk, or apply at the offices of Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA). A dedicated helpline (0800-09100) has also been established to facilitate applicants and provide guidance throughout the application process.

"اپنی چھت اپنا گھر ، اپنی چھت محفوظ چھت، اپنی زمین اپنا گھر " یہ تینوں منصوبے عوام کی سہولت کے لیے لا رہے ہیں اس میں سے آپ کو جس طرح کی ضرورت ہے اس کو یہ پورا کرے گا۔ اس سے صرف چھتیں محفوظ اور دیواریں مضبوط نہیں ہوں گی یہ خاندانوں کے تحفظ کا اعتماد ہے۔"
وزیرِ اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم… pic.twitter.com/kH2qH6YpkR

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 17, 2026

The briefing further stated that under the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” (My Roof, My Home) programme, 173,158 interest-free loans amounting to Rs224.457 billion have so far been disbursed.

Addressing the launching ceremony, the chief minister recalled the Kahna tragedy, saying the collapse of a roof during construction, which claimed the lives of 14 innocent children, had deeply shaken her.

“I could not sleep the entire night after the Kahna tragedy,” she said, adding that the grief of parents who had lost their children could only be understood by another parent.

CM Maryam Nawaz said she had personally witnessed and felt the immeasurable sorrow of a mother affected by the tragedy, adding that the government had therefore launched the “Apni Chhat, Mehfooz Chhat” project to ensure that every home in Punjab was structurally safer and better protected against such incidents.

وزیرِ اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف نے "اپنی چھت محفوظ چھت" کے افتتاح کے دوران سانحہ کاہنہ کے معصوم بچوں کا ذکر کرتے ہوئے افسردہ ہو گئیں ۔ "وہ گھر جو ہر طرح سے آپ کے لیے محفوظ جگہ ہوتی ہے اگر وہی گھر آپ کے لیے کسی مصیبت کا سبب بن جاۓ تو بہت دکھ ہوتا ہے ۔ ماؤں کے لخت جگر ان سے دور… pic.twitter.com/nqysoDoEpk

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 17, 2026

She observed that worsening weather conditions, including heavy rains and windstorms, frequently caused weak roofs and walls to collapse, resulting in tragic loss of life and property.

The chief minister said the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme had gained widespread public confidence and enabled around 200,000 families to move from rented accommodation into homes of their own.

She said financially disadvantaged and low-income families would now be able to obtain interest-free loans on easy terms to reinforce unsafe roofs. A loan of Rs500,000 would be repayable over nine years through an affordable monthly instalment of Rs4,700.

She added that the initiative was designed to protect citizens from both human and financial losses, while the Punjab government would bear the processing fee and all other associated charges for the loans.

Instead of lengthy procedures, every Punjab resident would be able to apply using only a valid Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC), she said, adding that the programme had been designed with simplified eligibility criteria and convenient monthly repayments to ensure maximum public access.

The Punjab chief minister further announced that families sharing a residence would also be eligible for an interest-free loan of Rs1 million for constructing additional rooms or adding another floor to their homes.

She said beneficiaries would also be given a three-month grace period, with repayment commencing from the fourth month.

CM lauds successful operation against terrorists in Bannu

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday expressed gratitude over the successful security operation against terrorists in Bannu and congratulated the security forces on the achievement.

The chief minister commended the professionalism and operational capabilities of the security forces, saying they deserved appreciation for eliminating 24 terrorists during the operation.

She paid tribute to the security personnel for their courage, dedication and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the country and maintaining lasting peace.