KP Government Launches Interest-Free Housing Loans for Low-Income Families
Staff Report
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Launches “Ehsaas Apna Ghar” Interest-Free Housing Loan Scheme
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, has achieved another milestone by formally launching the “Ehsaas Apna Ghar” scheme, aimed at providing interest-free loans to low-income families for the construction, expansion and renovation of their houses. A ceremony was held at the Chief Minister’s House on Monday for the distribution of loan cheques, with Chief Minister Gandapur as the chief guest. The event was attended by cabinet members Meena Khan Afridi, Muzammil Aslam, Dr. Amjad, and Rangaiz Ahmad, along with officials from the housing department.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister distributed cheques among the successful applicants. A total of Rs. 4.0 billion has been allocated for the provision of these interest-free loans under the scheme. To ensure cent percent transparency, applicants were selected through a computerized balloting system. The scheme targets individuals aged 18 to 65 years with a monthly income of less than Rs. 150,000. Eligible applicants can receive up to Rs. 1.5 million in interest-free loans to be reimbursed in easy installments over a seven-year period. The initiative also includes a revolving fund system to ensure the continued disbursement of loans in the coming years. In the first phase of the scheme, 123,000 applications were received, of which 18,555 met the eligibility criteria. Loans are being distributed across all districts of the province based on population ratios.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur termed Ehsaas Apna Ghar as a flagship and pro-poor initiative of the incumbent provincial government and a step towards realizing Imran Khan’s vision of providing housing facility to the underprivileged. He lauded the efforts of the housing department and the Bank of Khyber in implementing the scheme.
In his speech, the chief minister said that, most of the economic challenges of the province have been resolved, through our team’s tireless efforts, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has now been financially stable. We will continue to enhance our resources and spend them on public welfare. We aim to deliver services across all sectors and resolve issues at the people’s doorstep,” the Chief Minister stated. He further announced that the government will soon launch a Solarization of Houses Scheme for deserving households. He stressed that complete transparency and merit have been ensured in both the Ehsaas Apna Ghar and upcoming solar energy schemes. The Chief Minister added that several housing projects are underway to provide quality residential facilities across the province, including rapid progress on the New Peshawar Valley project. He emphasized that the upcoming fiscal year’s budget includes substantial investments in health, education, clean drinking water, infrastructure, and other key sectors. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Housing, Dr. Amjad, and Secretary housing Mahmood Aslam also addressed the ceremony and provided a detailed overview of the various aspects of the Ehsaas Apna Ghar scheme.