Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif received the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award for the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing project at a ceremony in Muscat, Oman. The Apni Chhat Apna Ghar scheme offers interest-free loans to low-income families to build their own homes.
The Maryam Nawaz UN award 2026 has been widely covered in Pakistan this week. It is a notable moment for a provincial programme. Here is what the award is, how the scheme works, and what the figures show.
Background: What Is Apni Chhat Apna Ghar?
The Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme provides interest-free loans to eligible low-income families to build homes. The Bank of Punjab and partner microfinance institutions release the funds in stages as construction progresses.
The programme is described as Pakistan’s largest and first fully digital housing finance scheme. That description comes from supportive coverage of the government, so readers should treat it as the official framing. Earlier this year, the chief minister also presented the programme to the international community at the 13th World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Loan Terms
Reports on loan terms vary by phase. At launch, applicants were offered interest-free loans of up to Rs1.5 million, repayable over seven years. Newer repair and expansion loans are part of a companion scheme, covered below.
Details: The UN-Habitat Award
Maryam Nawaz received the 2026 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award at the World Habitat Day ceremony in Muscat on October 5. UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach presented it. This Apni Chhat Apna Ghar international award is one of the agency’s main annual honours.
UN-Habitat selected five winners for the 2026 Scroll of Honour from 101 nominations. Another briefing gave a different figure. It said the project stood out from more than 150 projects worldwide. The numbers differ across reports, so it is safest to say it was one of five winners.
A First for Pakistan
According to the briefing, it is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a provincial housing project has received the award. Over the 37-year history of the initiative, the Scroll of Honour has been presented to around 200 public and private institutions. The claim comes from the Punjab government’s own briefing.
Programme Numbers
Tribune reports that more than 200,000 homes are being built, with 120,753 beneficiaries having completed their homes and another 60,464 houses under construction. It also says Rs278.461 billion in interest-free loans has been disbursed. Other reports cite slightly different totals, such as 214,330 homes, so figures vary by source and date.
Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the programme targets one million homes in five years. Another report cites a target of 500,000 homes. The government has not independently audited these figures in the sources reviewed, so they remain official claims.
Repairs and Expansion
The government has also added a related scheme. The Apni Chhat, Mehfooz Chhat scheme offers interest-free loans from Rs500,000 to Rs1 million to repair, strengthen or expand existing homes. This widens the programme beyond new construction. Quotes and Official Statements
Maryam Nawaz dedicated the award to the families who built homes under the scheme. She said the award belongs to the families who turned their housing plans into homes. She also described the programme as a major step towards fulfilling the dream of home ownership for low-income families.
Provincial officials echoed her words. Bilal Yasin described the initiative as among the fastest-expanding housing programmes in the world. That is an official assessment, and the UN-Habitat statement quoted in the reports focuses on the combination of finance and digital systems.
Impact: What It Means for Punjab and Pakistan
For families, the key benefit is access to credit. Interest-free loans can help households that cannot get regular mortgages. UN-Habitat said the initiative combines interest-free finance, digital systems and lending partnerships to expand access to housing finance.
For the province, the award adds international credibility. It may help attract partners and donors for housing finance. It has also entered the political debate, with supporters and rivals arguing over who deserves credit for housing initiatives.
Wider Lessons
UN awards can encourage other provinces and countries to study a model. Housing experts often note that delivery speed, loan recovery and construction quality will decide whether such programmes last. Those factors will matter more than any single award.
Conclusion: What to Expect Next
The government says it plans to expand lending to more families, including through repair loans. Watch for updates on loan recovery, completed homes and any independent evaluation. These will show whether the results match the claims.
The award also raises expectations. Beneficiaries and critics alike will track whether funds keep flowing and homes get built on time. For now, the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar scheme holds a notable international endorsement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to receive $10,000 from Maryam Nawaz?
There is no verified programme offering $10,000 to individuals. The Apni Chhat Apna Ghar scheme provides interest-free loans in Pakistani rupees, and borrowers must repay them. Messages promising dollar payments in her name are likely scams. The official application portal is acag.punjab.gov.pk, and a toll-free helpline, 0800-09100, is listed in government-linked reports. Never share your CNIC, bank details or OTP codes with unofficial websites or social media accounts, and report suspicious offers to the authorities.
What is the current designation of Maryam Nawaz?
Maryam Nawaz Sharif is the Chief Minister of Punjab. Recent reports refer to her as Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. She leads the provincial government, which runs the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme. Official titles can change after elections or political shifts, so check the Punjab government’s website for the latest.
Can I find a list of all the CM Punjab schemes for 2026 and online apply for them?
I could not find one verified, complete list of all Punjab schemes for 2026, so it is best to check official government channels. Several housing schemes are active. Apni Zameen Apna Ghar offers free 3-marla plots to eligible low-income residents, and Apni Chhat Apna Ghar offers construction loans. The Mehfooz Chhat scheme can also be applied for online through the ACAG portal, or in person at a nearby facilitation centre. Always confirm eligibility and deadlines on the official portals.
How do I apply for Apni Chhat Apna Ghar?
Applicants create an account on the ACAG portal, choose a loan category and upload documents such as their CNIC, proof of ownership and photographs of the house. They must be permanent residents of Punjab with a valid CNIC and a clean financial record with no loan defaults. Those who cannot apply online can submit applications at the offices of Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency. Requirements can change, so read the latest notice before applying.
What is the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award?
It is an annual award from UN-Habitat, the United Nations agency for human settlements. It recognises projects that make a notable contribution to housing and urban development. Around 200 institutions have received it over 37 years. It is presented around World Habitat Day, and this year the ceremony took place in Muscat, Oman.
