Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has received the prestigious UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour in Muscat, Oman, in recognition of the province’s flagship “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” housing programme. The international recognition highlights the Punjab government’s efforts to expand access to safe and affordable housing for low-income families.
The award was presented on October 5 during the global observance of World Habitat Day at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat. The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour is one of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme’s most prestigious awards and recognises outstanding contributions to adequate housing and sustainable urban development.
Recognition for Punjab’s Housing Programme
The award recognises the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” initiative, which was launched by the Punjab government in 2024 to help eligible residents obtain affordable housing. The programme particularly focuses on low-income families, including people living in rented accommodation or informal settlements.
The project was formally selected for the 2026 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour after being recognised for its contribution to providing safe and suitable housing. According to Radio Pakistan, the first phase involved loans of more than Rs196 billion for the construction of over 134,000 houses, while the second phase included more than Rs62 billion in loans for 65,000 houses.
The international award places Punjab’s housing initiative among projects recognised for addressing major human-settlement challenges. UN-Habitat says its Scroll of Honour recognises individuals, institutions and projects that contribute to housing, improved urban life, sustainable development and inclusive communities.
Maryam Nawaz Dedicates Award to Homeless People
Maryam Nawaz dedicated the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour to homeless people in Punjab, describing the international recognition as an honour for those without homes. She also highlighted the housing programme as a major low-cost housing initiative.
The recognition has also been welcomed by members of the Punjab government. Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb described the achievement as a proud moment for Punjab and Pakistan, saying the award represented international recognition of the vision behind the housing programme.
According to statements reported after the award, more than 200,000 homes have been delivered under the initiative. The government has presented the programme as an effort not only to provide shelter but also to give families greater security and stability.
Focus on Affordable Housing
Housing affordability remains a major challenge for families with limited incomes, particularly those living in rented homes or informal settlements. The Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme seeks to address this issue by helping eligible residents build or obtain their own homes.
The initiative is also aligned with the broader objectives of UN-Habitat, which places emphasis on adequate, safe, accessible and affordable housing. The UN agency has linked its 2026 World Habitat Day focus to the global need for adequate housing and sustainable urban development.
For Punjab, the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour provides international visibility to a provincial housing programme and highlights the importance of affordable housing policies at the local level.
A Significant Moment for Punjab
Punjab Education Minister Sikandar Hayat also praised the recognition and credited Housing Minister Bilal Yasin for his role in implementing the housing initiative. He described the award as acknowledgement of the work and determination behind the programme.
The award ceremony in Muscat therefore marked an important international moment for Punjab’s housing policy. While the programme remains focused on practical housing needs within the province, its selection for the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour has brought the initiative onto a global platform.
UN-Habitat has presented the award since 1989 to recognise initiatives that make outstanding contributions to human settlements and improve the quality of urban life. Previous recipients have included cities, governments, organisations and individuals working on housing and sustainable urban development.
The recognition of Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar underlines the growing international attention being given to affordable housing solutions. For Punjab, the award represents recognition of an initiative designed to help families move from rented or informal housing toward more secure home ownership.
