Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed banks and concerned authorities to speed up the processing of applications under the "Apna Ghar Scheme".
He asked them to improve facilitation for citizens who are applying for affordable housing loans. The prime minister gave these instructions during a review meeting on the progress of the housing program.
He welcomed the strong public response to the scheme. He said the initiative can help many families achieve the dream of owning a home.
He also noted that faster implementation will make the program more effective and widely beneficial. According to him, continued progress can bring real change for low and middle income households.
Shehbaz Sharif said the scheme will also support the economy. He explained that it can boost the construction sector and create demand for related industries. This, in turn, can help increase overall economic activity and job opportunities across the country.
The prime minister instructed the Ministry of Housing and Works to work with the State Bank of Pakistan to simplify the application process. He asked officials to make the form easier for the public to understand and complete. He also told banks to approve eligible applications without unnecessary delay.
He further ordered a nationwide awareness campaign so more people can learn about the housing scheme.
Provincial governments were also directed to set up facilitation desks at the district level. These desks will help applicants prepare and verify land ownership documents needed for loans.
Officials informed the meeting that Rs11 billion has already been distributed under the scheme. They added that applications increased after rules were simplified in March.
So far, 67,900 applications have been received, while 16,587 have been approved. Loans have been issued to 3,146 applicants across the country.
The State Bank has also instructed banks to process applications within 15 days. Officials said a digital portal, facilitation desks, and new laws are helping remove delays in the housing sector. These steps are expected to improve transparency and speed up approvals in the coming months.
