Roof safety loan scheme introduced to prevent tragedies, support low-income families

LAHORE, July 17: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has launched the digital portal for the “Apni Chhat, Mehfooz Chhat” (My Roof, Safe Roof) initiative, a housing safety programme introduced in memory of the children who lost their lives in the Kahna roof collapse tragedy.

The chief minister inaugurated the portal on Friday and described the project as a commitment to making homes across Punjab safer and more resilient. She appreciated the Housing Department for developing the initiative and directed officials to reduce the monthly instalments for the interest-free loan scheme from Rs14,000 to a more affordable range of approximately Rs4,700 to Rs9,300, ensuring that financially vulnerable families could benefit from the programme.

Under the scheme, eligible residents of Punjab will be able to obtain an interest-free loan of up to Rs500,000 to repair, reinforce and strengthen unsafe roofs. Families requiring additional living space will also have access to interest-free loans of up to Rs1 million for constructing extra rooms or adding another storey to their homes.

The chief minister commended Provincial Housing Minister Bilal Yasin, Housing Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal and their team for successfully preparing the project. During a briefing, officials informed her that applications could be submitted online through the official portal, while citizens without internet access could apply through Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and PHATA offices. A dedicated helpline has also been established to guide applicants throughout the process.

According to the briefing, the Punjab government’s “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme has already provided 173,158 interest-free loans worth more than Rs224.4 billion, helping thousands of families achieve home ownership.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Maryam Nawaz said a home represents much more than walls and a roof, describing it as a place of protection, dignity and security for every family. Recalling the Kahna tragedy, in which 14 children lost their lives after a roof collapsed during construction, she said the heartbreaking incident deeply affected her and strengthened her resolve to prevent similar disasters in the future.

She noted that heavy rainfall, storms and ageing structures frequently cause weak roofs and walls to collapse, putting countless lives at risk. The new initiative, she said, has been designed to reduce such dangers by enabling low-income families to strengthen their homes without facing financial hardship.

The chief minister explained that beneficiaries receiving a Rs500,000 loan would repay the amount over nine years through affordable monthly instalments starting from Rs4,700. She further announced that the Punjab government would bear all processing fees and related charges, while applicants would only need a valid Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) to apply under the simplified procedure. Beneficiaries will also receive a three-month grace period before repayments begin.

Maryam Nawaz added that families living together in shared homes would be eligible for interest-free loans of up to Rs1 million to build additional rooms or another floor, helping ease overcrowding and improve living conditions.

She also highlighted progress under the “Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar”programme, stating that the allotment of 2,000 residential plots has been completed. Plot recipients, she said, will be eligible to receive interest-free loans of up to Rs1.5 million to construct their homes.

The chief minister said the government’s three flagship housing initiatives—“Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar,” “Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar,” and “Apni Chhat, Mehfooz Chhat”—reflect its commitment to providing secure, affordable housing while protecting citizens from avoidable tragedies.

She expressed hope that the latest initiative would ensure no family has to endure the devastating consequences of an unsafe home, adding that every household in Punjab deserves the safety and security of a strong and reliable roof.