Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif presented the province's flagship affordable housing initiative at the World Urban Forum in Baku [1].
The presentation aims to attract global attention to Punjab's efforts to provide homes for landless and low-income families. By showcasing the model on an international platform, the provincial government seeks to validate its approach to urban development and poverty reduction [1, 2].
Chief Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Azerbaijan for a three-day official visit that began on Saturday, May 4, 2026 [1, 2]. The center of the visit was a dedicated pavilion where the housing scheme was displayed to international delegates and urban planning experts [1].
Reports on the initiative vary regarding its official title. Some sources refer to the program as "Apni Zameen Apna Ghar," while other reports identify it as "Apni Chhat Apna Ghar" [1, 2]. Despite the naming difference, the core objective remains the provision of transformative housing for the most vulnerable populations in Punjab [2].
The World Urban Forum serves as a global venue for discussing sustainable city development. The Punjab pavilion focused on the scalability of its affordable housing model, and the specific mechanisms used to assist citizens who lack the means to purchase land or construction materials [1].
By participating in the forum, the Punjab government intends to exchange knowledge with other global cities facing similar housing crises. The initiative represents a strategic push to integrate Punjab's domestic social welfare goals with international urban standards [1, 2].
“Punjab’s affordable-housing scheme was showcased at a pavilion during the World Urban Forum in Baku.”
The presentation of the housing model in Baku signals Punjab's intent to pivot from purely domestic implementation to seeking international legitimacy and potential partnerships. By aligning its 'Apni Zameen Apna Ghar' project with the World Urban Forum, the administration is positioning the province as a leader in South Asian affordable housing, which may facilitate future foreign investment or technical cooperation in urban planning.
