Friday, 1 May, 2026 | 13 Dhul-Qadah, 1447
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 36 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
PM LAUNCHES RS3.2TR HOUSING DRIVE FOR 500,000 HOMES IN FIVE YEARS
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ UNVEILS ‘WAZIR-E-AZAM APNA GHAR PROGRAMME’ WITH RS321B FIRST-YEAR ALLOCATION
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LOW- AND MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES TO GET SUBSIDISED LOANS UP TO RS10M AT 5% MARKUP FOR 10 YEARS
SAYS GOVT TARGETS CONSTRUCTION-LED GROWTH, CALLING SECTOR KEY DRIVER OF JOBS AND INDUSTRIAL REVIVAL
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— extends fuel subsidy for bikers, transport sector amid rising oil pressure ISLAMABAD
staff report
ISLAMABAD
saleem jadoon
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday unveiled a multi-trillionrupee housing initiative aimed at constructing up to 500,000 homes over five years, positioning the construction sector as a central pillar of job creation and economic growth amid a fragile recovery phase. The Wazir-e-Azam Apna Ghar Programme includes subsidised financing with an initial allocation of Rs321 billion ($1.15 billion) for 50,000 homes in its first year and forms part of the government’s broader strategy to shift the economy from stabilisation to growth after difficult reforms to secure external financing and contain fiscal pressures. Under the scheme, the prime minister said low- and middle-in-
come households would be facilitated through concessional financing, offering loans of up to Rs10 million ($35,700) at a 5 per cent markup for the first 10 years. “With the budget approaching, we will bring major initiatives because construction is a key industry,” PM Shehbaz said while addressing the launch ceremony of the “Apna Ghar” housing programme. “Whether it is a 5 marla home, 10 marla, or larger housing units, it creates demand for bricks, cement, wood, carpenters, electricians, engineers and draftsmen.” Officials said the government plans to scale up the programme significantly, with total financing projected at Rs3.2 trillion ($11.5 billion) over four years. The initiative will target housing units of up to 10 marla across all provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday decided to extend the fuel subsidy for motorcyclists as well as public and goods transport for one month, directing transporters not to raise fares or freight charges and calling for “effective monitoring” of relief measures, state media reported. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier has decided to continue relief measures for economically vulnerable segments of society amid the prevailing situation and extended the fuel subsidy scheme for another month. “The prime minister has extended the fuel subsidy for motorcyclists, public transport and goods transporters by one month,” the statement said, adding that he also directed authorities to ensure strict and effective monitoring of the relief initiative.
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