Punjab Partners with Bank of Punjab to Deliver Interest-Free Home Loans

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In a major step toward increasing housing accessibility, the Punjab government has formalised a partnership with the Bank of Punjab (BOP) to deliver interest-free loans under the ambitious “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” initiative. Designed to uplift low- and middle-income families, this program aims to simplify homeownership through zero-interest financing, an essential relief as citizens navigate persistent inflation and a housing shortfall. With the fiscal year 2025–26 in focus, the Bank of Punjab will exclusively fund the construction of all homes built under the scheme.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) and BOP representatives, witnessed by Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin and Bank of Punjab President Zafar Masood. According to the Housing Minister, 52,000 beneficiaries have already secured interest-free loans worth a total of PKR 60 billion. Of that, PKR 900 million has been recovered through regular monthly installments, reflecting encouraging repayment behaviour. Minister Yasin also confirmed that Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) have been brought on board to ensure annual housing targets are met on schedule.

Secretary Housing Noor-ul-Amin Mengal shared that the department has been tasked with completing over 100,000 homes within a year, a bold yet necessary objective given the nation’s growing population and urbanisation pressures. The streamlined application process and support hotline (080009100) have been set up to ensure ease of access and transparency for applicants. With over PKR 10 billion in additional loans scheduled for disbursement by next month, the momentum of the initiative appears both real and resolute. Unlike many federal-level projects, this provincial program is grounded in execution, not empty pledges.

As rising costs continue to erode household purchasing power, this move to empower aspiring homeowners through interest-free loans stands out as a practical policy intervention. The “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” program could become a replicable blueprint for other provinces, proving that public-private collaboration, fiscal responsibility, and local leadership can drive tangible change. In a political climate too often dominated by partisanship and indecision, Punjab’s housing initiative is a welcome example of a government delivering real outcomes for its people with efficiency, ambition, and accountability.