Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced that more than 5,000 labourers would be provided houses within the next three years, along with three-marla plots and loans for house construction.
Addressing a ceremony held for the distribution of 720 free apartments to workers, the chief minister said: “Workers, friends of Allah! Congratulations to all of you. Congratulations on your own home, your own roof and your own residence.”
She said it was a matter of happiness that Allah had blessed the workers with their own shelter and that they would no longer have to worry about landlords. She added that in the current era, it was difficult even to manage household expenses, leaving no savings for building or buying a house.
CM Punjab said whether rich or poor, having one’s own house provided security to children and made a person’s hard work meaningful.
She said each apartment had been constructed at a cost of Rs3.5 million, but not a single penny had been taken from the workers. “These houses are being given completely free of cost,” she said, adding that the apartments consisted of two bedrooms, a lounge and a washroom.
The chief minister said the seed planted in the labour department by Nawaz Sharif 40 years ago had now become a strong tree. She added that her father, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was extremely happy over the handing over of house keys to 720 families.
CM Punjab Nawaz Sharif said a worker earning Rs40,000 a month had to choose between paying house rent and meeting the needs of children. “We are giving homes to labourers absolutely free. May Allah bless you with happiness in these homes,” she said.
She informed the audience that while 720 families had received homes, another 500 houses were ready in Taxila. She reiterated that over 5,000 workers would be provided houses during the next three years.
The chief minister further announced that workers would also be provided three-marla plots and easy loans for house construction.
She said over 100,000 houses had been completed in just over a year under the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” scheme, calling it perhaps a unique example in the world.
“One hundred thousand families who once wandered without shelter have now shifted to their own homes under the scheme,” she said, adding that 65,000 houses were currently under construction and the target of 500,000 houses would be achieved within the next three-and-a-half years.
CM Punjab said that, like the “Suthra Punjab” initiative, the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” scheme had also emerged as a successful model internationally. She added that people without land would also be provided plots along with loans for construction.
The chief minister said ration cards had been issued to 1.5 million workers at a cost of Rs40 billion, under which labourers were being provided financial assistance of Rs3,000 per month.
She also directed authorities to ensure safety gear for workers at construction sites to protect their lives and wellbeing.
“Governments come into power to create ease in the lives of people,” she said, adding: “Pray that Allah grants me the ability to reach every poor household in service and to help everyone.”
Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday made it clear to provincial commissioners that she did not want them to sit in air-conditioned rooms but wanted to see them on the field.
Chairing an important meeting of commissioners in Lahore, she said that while some commissioners’ performance was satisfactory, others’ performance was not up to the mark. “There is no room for negligence,” she said categorically. The chief minister also said that only merit would be followed. “No nepotism will be tolerated.”
She informed that from now onwards, development schemes worth billions of rupees would be completed in districts from their own resources.
Commissioners of Sahiwal, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Multan gave a detailed briefing to CM Maryam on available resources and proposed development projects.