Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed authorities to speed up processing under the Apna Ghar Scheme. He also instructed banks to provide greater facilitation to citizens seeking affordable housing loans.
Chairing a review meeting, the prime minister welcomed the growing public response to the programme. He said the initiative could help thousands of families achieve home ownership.
Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the increasing number of applicants. He noted that continued progress would allow more citizens to benefit from the scheme.
Applications and Loan Disbursements Rise
Officials informed the meeting that applications increased significantly after procedures were simplified in March. So far, 67,900 applications have been submitted from across the country.
According to the briefing, authorities have approved 16,587 applications. Meanwhile, loans have been disbursed to 3,146 successful applicants.
The meeting was also told that Rs 11 billion has been released under the scheme. Officials said digital hubs and facilitation desks are helping accelerate the loan process.
The State Bank of Pakistan has also directed banks to process applications within 15 days. This measure aims to ensure quicker access to housing finance.
Government Plans Further Facilitation
The prime minister instructed the Ministry of Housing and Works to simplify application forms further. He directed officials to work closely with the State Bank on the process.
Additionally, Shehbaz ordered banks to expedite approvals for eligible applicants. He also called for a nationwide awareness campaign to increase public participation.
The prime minister directed provincial governments to establish district-level facilitation desks. These centres will help applicants obtain and verify land ownership documents.
Officials informed the meeting that newly enacted housing-related laws would remove legal hurdles. They said the reforms would encourage investment and growth in the housing sector.
A dedicated digital portal has also been launched to monitor implementation and progress. Senior ministers, banking executives and provincial officials attended the meeting.
