Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has received the 2026 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award for the province’s ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ housing programme.
The award was presented on Monday, October 5, at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat during the global observance of World Habitat Day. The programme was recognised for improving access to safe and affordable housing for low-income families.
UN-Habitat selected the project after a competitive review of housing programmes from around the world. It was among five initiatives chosen for this year’s Scroll of Honour.
The programme, launched in August 2024, provides interest-free loans to eligible families who own land but cannot afford to build a house. According to official figures, Rs259.68 billion had been disbursed to 200,072 applicants by September 10, 2026.
Maryam dedicated the international recognition to homeless people in Punjab. She said the project had become a symbol of hope for low-income families and reaffirmed her government’s target of constructing 500,000 houses within five years.
The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour is a major international recognition for work related to affordable housing, sustainable urban development and better living conditions.
