Rs11b disbursed under Apna Ghar

Prime Minister Shehbaz directs faster loan approvals, simpler procedures

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed authorities to further simplify procedures and accelerate loan approvals under the Prime Minister's Apna Ghar Scheme, stressing that greater facilitation for applicants would help more citizens realize their dream of owning a home.

The prime minister, chairing a review meeting on the progress of the housing initiative, said the strong public response to the scheme was highly encouraging and reflected the growing demand for affordable housing, a Prime Minister's Office news release said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Shari said, "Participation of a large number of citizens in the Apna Ghar Scheme is extremely welcome. If we continue at the current pace, the dream of home ownership for a maximum number of deserving people will be fulfilled."

During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif directed the Ministry of Housing to work with the State Bank of Pakistan to make the application form more user-friendly and easier for applicants to understand. He also instructed banks to expedite the approval process for valid applications and ensure timely disbursement of loans.

Emphasizing wider outreach, the prime minister ordered the authorities to intensify the nationwide awareness campaign so that more eligible citizens could benefit from the programme.

To address difficulties faced by applicants in obtaining land ownership documents, he directed provincial governments to establish facilitation desks at the district level dedicated to the Apna Ghar Scheme.

The meeting was informed that loans worth Rs11 billion had so far been disbursed under the programme. Officials said the number of applications had increased significantly after the government simplified the scheme's rules and regulations in March this year.

According to the briefing, a total of 67,900 applications have been received from across the country. Of these, 16,587 applications have been approved, while 3,146 beneficiaries have already received loan payments.

The meeting was also told that the State Bank of Pakistan had made it mandatory for banks to process Apna Ghar Scheme applications within 15 days.

Railways reforms

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved a comprehensive strategic roadmap aimed at overhauling Pakistan Railways and directed authorities to prioritize freight services, attract private investment, and modernise the country's rail network to transform it into a safe, affordable and efficient mode of transport.

Chairing a high-level meeting on railway reforms, the prime minister said Pakistan Railways possessed immense potential to become a reliable and cost-effective transportation system for both passengers and freight, while also contributing to economic growth and regional connectivity, a Prime Minister's Office news release said.