Maryam Nawaz Receives UN-Habitat Honour for Apni Chhat Apna Ghar
Maryam Nawaz Receives UN-Habitat Honour for Apni Chhat Apna Ghar
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has received the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour for the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar housing project, an award she accepted in Muscat and dedicated to the families who built homes under the scheme.
The Maryam Nawaz UN-Habitat award was presented at a ceremony marking World Habitat Day, where UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach welcomed the chief minister and other participants. The honour places the Punjab housing programme among a select group of global initiatives recognised by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme this year.
Maryam Nawaz UN-Habitat award dedicated to beneficiaries
Speaking at the ceremony, the chief minister dedicated the award to the people who have constructed their own homes through the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme. The scheme is the Punjab government’s flagship effort to provide affordable housing to low-income families across the province.
Five countries received the Scroll of Honour this year. The other recipients were Myanmar’s Htoo Weng, Brazil’s Thiago Baurmann Gubert, Tunisia’s Abdelmalek Ghanem and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
World Habitat Day spotlight on housing
World Habitat Day is observed on the first Monday of October every year, a date the United Nations set aside to reflect on the state of towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter. This year’s ceremony in Muscat, Oman, brought together the five winning entries alongside urban planners, policymakers and housing experts.
The Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme sits at the centre of the Punjab government’s housing push. Launched in August 2024, it offers interest-free loans of up to Rs1.5 million to help low-income families build their own homes, a promise the chief minister has presented as one of her administration’s defining commitments. Provincial officials say more than 160,000 loans have been issued under the scheme so far.
Exhibition and agreements on the sidelines
The chief minister also attended the opening ceremony of a UN-Habitat exhibition organised to mark the day. She was invited to a ceremony for the signing of development agreements, where officials briefed participants on the award’s standing.
A briefing at the ceremony described the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour as one of the highest international distinctions linked to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. It is conferred on individuals, cities, public and private institutions and research bodies for outstanding performance in human settlements work.
The award’s objectives include promoting affordable and adequate housing, sustainable urban development, better basic urban facilities, improved urban development and reconstruction, and recovery from natural disasters.
Frequently asked questions
What award did Maryam Nawaz receive?
She received the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour for the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar housing project at a World Habitat Day ceremony in Muscat.
What is the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour?
It is one of the highest international distinctions of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, given for outstanding work in housing, urban development and disaster recovery.
Who else received the award this year?
Recipients from five countries were honoured, including Myanmar’s Htoo Weng, Brazil’s Thiago Baurmann Gubert, Tunisia’s Abdelmalek Ghanem and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
