Lahore: The Punjab government is moving forward with a major housing initiative, identifying 41 government-owned sites across the province for the construction of 37,000 affordable homes under the World Bank–funded Punjab Affordable Housing Programme (PAHP).
This US$250 million, five-year scheme is designed to provide affordable and quality housing for low-income families while strengthening housing institutions in the province. Out of the total units, 20,000 homes will be built on state land using World Bank funding, while the remaining units will be developed with private sector participation, ensuring a sustainable delivery model.
The project is being implemented by the Punjab Housing & Town Planning Agency (PH&TPA) and the Urban Unit, through the Programme Management & Implementation Unit (PMIU). The government has completed field verification of all selected sites, and district administrations are actively involved to ensure smooth execution in line with World Bank guidelines.
Punjab’s existing housing initiatives are already making a difference. Apni Chhat Apna Ghar (ACAG) has completed over 50,000 homes in 2025, offering zero-interest, zero-fee loans to low-income families, including widows, persons with disabilities, and minority communities.
Apni Zameen Apna Ghar (AZAG) has introduced a digital-first approach, allowing 367,000 people to apply online for land across Punjab. Its first digital balloting of 2,000 free plots was successfully conducted in 19 districts, including Faisalabad, Kasur, Sargodha, Jhelum, and Bahawalpur.
These initiatives highlight Punjab’s focus on affordable housing, social inclusion, and sustainable urban development, while providing a modern, long-term solution to the province’s housing shortage.
The government is also taking steps to make the housing and city environment more sustainable:
1,000 groundwater recharge wells will be constructed across Punjab this year, with Lahore acting as a pilot city. Three wells are already functional, and 15 more sites are under preparation.
Greenbelt redesigns are being introduced to prevent urban flooding, lowering elevated greenbelts along roads and highways for better water drainage.
The Lungs of Lahore & Ring Road Forestation Project is being accelerated to improve air quality, combat smog, and create a green buffer around the city, providing a permanent environmental asset for Lahore.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
