ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday ordered authorities to further simplify procedures and speed up approval of loans under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme, stressing that greater facilitation for applicants would help more citizens realize their dream of becoming a homeowner.
The Prime Minister, chairing a meeting to review the progress of the housing initiative, said the strong public response to the project was very encouraging and reflected the growing demand for affordable housing, a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Shari said, “The participation of a large number of citizens in the Apna Ghar program is extremely welcome. If we continue at the current pace, the dream of home ownership for as many deserving people as possible will come true.
During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif asked the Ministry of Housing to work with the State Bank of Pakistan to make the application form more user-friendly and easier to understand for applicants. He also asked banks to expedite the approval process of valid applications and ensure timely disbursement of loans.
Emphasizing wider awareness, the Prime Minister directed the authorities to intensify the nationwide awareness campaign so that more eligible citizens can benefit from the scheme.
To resolve the difficulties faced by applicants in obtaining land ownership documents, he asked the provincial governments to establish dedicated district-level facilitation offices for the Apna Ghar programme.
The meeting was informed that loans worth Rs11 billion had so far been disbursed under the scheme. Officials said the number of applications increased significantly after the government simplified the rules and regulations of the program in March this year.
According to the briefing, a total of 67,900 applications were received from across the country. Of these, 16,587 applications have been approved, while 3,146 beneficiaries have already received their loan repayment.
It was also informed in the meeting that the State Bank of Pakistan has made it mandatory for banks to process applications for the Apna Ghar scheme within 15 days.
Railway reforms
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved a comprehensive strategic roadmap to overhaul Pakistan’s railways and ordered authorities to prioritize freight services, attract private investment and modernize the country’s railway 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 passengers and goods, while also contributing to economic growth and regional connectivity, a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
