Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has named the “Apni Chhat, Mahfuz Chhat” project after the martyred children of Kahna tragedy and launched the digital portal of the project.
On this occasion, she also announced a significant reduction in loan installments to provide safe housing to the citizens.
The Chief Minister directed that the monthly installment of interest-free loan of Rs 500,000 under the scheme should be fixed at around Rs 4,700 instead of Rs 14,000, while the monthly installment of citizens getting a loan of up to Rs 1 million has been fixed at Rs 9,300.
Under this scheme, citizens will be able to get interest-free loans to secure weak roofs of their houses, build an additional room or build a second floor. The loan of Rs 500,000 will be repaid in monthly installments of around Rs 4,700 over a period of nine years.
Provincial Minister for Housing Bilal Yasin and Secretary Housing Noorul Amin Mengal gave a briefing regarding the project, while the Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the entire team in preparing the project.
Speaking at the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz said that a house is not just a structure of bricks and stones but a symbol of security, peace and family safety. She said that children feel safe with their mother in their home and a safe home provides confidence and satisfaction to every person.
Describing the Kahna tragedy as a very heartbreaking incident, the Chief Minister said that 14 innocent children lost their lives due to the collapse of the roof during construction, the pain of which she still feels today. She said that after this tragedy, she could not sleep the whole night and felt the grief of the affected mother closely.
Maryam Nawaz said that due to heavy rains, storms and other weather conditions, incidents of weak roofs and walls collapsing continue, in which precious lives are lost. She said that the “Apni Chhat, Mahfuz Chhat” project has been launched to protect citizens from these dangers and strengthen every home.
Separately, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has launched a unique public welfare initiative, titled ‘Saanjhi Sabzi’ (Shared Vegetables), in Muzaffargarh to provide free seasonal vegetables to the public.
Initiated on the chief minister’s directions, the project involves the cultivation of seasonal vegetables on vacant government land in both urban public buildings and rural areas. Under the initiative, vegetables are being grown on 140 plots spread over 139 kanals in Muzaffargarh. Residents have started receiving free vegetables according to their needs.
The project was formally launched from a village inhabited by the Christian community in Muzaffargarh. The initiative has also inspired local residents to voluntarily cultivate vegetables for the benefit of others.
Appreciating the project as a model worthy of replication, the chief minister directed deputy commissioners across Punjab to launch similar initiatives in their respective districts.
During a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Muzaffargarh Muhammad Usman Tahir Jappa, CM Punjab commended the district administration’s public welfare efforts. She also awarded the deputy commissioner the Chief Minister’s Merit Badge along with a cash prize of Rs100,000.
Briefing the chief minister, Deputy Commissioner Muzaffargarh said government land ranging from one marla to one kanal had been identified in villages across Muzaffargarh for vegetable cultivation under the ‘Saanjhi Sabzi’ project.
He said vegetables were also being cultivated on vacant land adjacent to government buildings in both urban and rural areas. According to the briefing, vegetables are currently being grown on 139 kanals of land adjoining facilities of the health, local government, forest and education departments, as well as assistant commissioners’ offices.
The chief minister directed the deputy commissioner to continue implementing public welfare measures and ensure the project’s sustainability.