Free 3‑Marla Plots for Homeless

 What is the Free 3‑Marla Plot Scheme for the homeless?

The Free 3‑Marla Plot Scheme for the Homeless, launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in February 2025, aims to provide fully free land to homeless, low-income families across Punjab. Here's what you should know:

 What Is the Scheme?

• Known as the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” (or Maskan‑e‑Ravi/Zahra Homes) initiative, it provides 3‑Marla residential plots (≈750 sq ft) at no cost to eligible homeless families in Punjab

• It is part of the Punjab government’s broader vision under Maryam Nawaz to ensure housing for all

 Coverage & Scale – Phase 1

• 1,892 plots allotted in the first phase, spread across 33 housing schemes in 22 districts including Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur and others

• Distribution breakdown:

• Rawalpindi Division: 658 plots

• Lahore Region: 518 plots

• Faisalabad Division: 288 plots

• Bhakkar: 131 plots, Multan Region: 270 plots, Bahawalpur Region: 27 plots

•  Objectives of the Scheme

• To reduce homelessness by granting land ownership to deserving families

• Promote social equity and empowerment of low‑income households, including widows, orphans and daily wage earners

• Stimulate local economies through construction and allied activities led by beneficiaries

• Eligibility Criteria

  Applicants must meet all of the following:

• Be a permanent resident of Punjab with a valid CNIC

• Must not own any property (house, land, or plot) in Pakistan

• Household monthly income below ~Rs 50,000

• Have a PMT (Poverty Means Test) score below 60% via NSER/PSER survey

• No criminal convictions or bank defaults

• Be 18 years or older and the head of household

• Application Process

• Applicants register via the official Punjab Housing Portal or PHATA’s online system

• Using CNIC, they create an account, upload required documents (income proof, residency certificate, etc.)

• Applications undergo verification, then are entered into a computerized balloting system for allotment

• Successful applicants receive SMS confirmation and plot details

• Allotment Terms & Build Requirements

• Beneficiaries must begin construction within six months and complete the home within two years

• Plots cannot be sold or transferred for at least five years; violations may lead to cancellation and repossession by PHATA

•  Additional Assistance

• Eligible families can apply for a zero‑interest (Shariah‑compliant) construction loan up to PKR 1.5 million, repayable over 7–9 years, to build their homes

• Quick Overview

  Aspect	Details
  Plot Size	3 Marla (~750 sq ft), free of cost
  Phase 1 Coverage	1,892 plots in 33 schemes across 22 districts
  Eligibility	Punjab resident, no property ownership, low income, PMT score, aged ≥18
  Application Mode	Online via Punjab Housing/PHATA portal
  Build & Transfer Restrictions	Start build within 6 months; cannot transfer/sell for 5 years
  Construction Support	Zero-interest loan up to PKR 1.5 million available

  ---

   Why This Matters

  This scheme marks a significant policy shift in Punjab—an inclusive effort to provide land ownership to the most marginalized. It's more than a seasonal welfare initiative—it’s a push for long-term housing stability and dignified living, backed by fair processes and financial assistance.

• Who launched this scheme and what is its purpose?

• Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif officially launched the Free 3‑Marla Plot Scheme for the Homeless, also known as the “Apni Zameen Apna Ghar” initiative, in February 2025. This flagship welfare program was publicly unveiled during a press briefing and via an e-portal inauguration, aimed at tackling homelessness across Punjab

• Purpose of the Scheme

1. Eradicate Homelessness

• Provide 3‑Marla residential plots (around 675–750 sq ft) free of cost to deserving, homeless, and low-income families in Punjab

2. Promote Social Equity and Dignity

   • Enable families who lack assets or land to gain secure, legal land ownership—not as charity, but as a government duty and right of the people .

3. Stimulate Economic Empowerment

   • Support beneficiaries in building homes or accessing housing loans, fostering long-term economic upliftment and participation in the housing economy.

4. Institutional Transparency

• The scheme emphasizes fairness and merit by implementing computerized balloting across all districts, with oversight committees ensuring credible distribution.

5. Scheme Snapshot

   Aspect	Detail
   Announced by	Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif
   Date	February 2025
   Scheme Name	Apni Zameen Apna Ghar (Free 3‑Marla Plot Scheme)
   Plot Size	~3 Marla (675–750 sq ft)
   Coverage (Phase 1)	1,892 plots across 33 housing schemes in 22 districts of Punjab
   Target Group	Poor, landless, homeless families with verified low income and PMT score
   Allotment	Computerized balloting system, zero application fee
   Goal	Secure homeownership, reduce homelessness, uplift low-income households

   ---

    Bottom Line

   The scheme was launched by CM Maryam Nawaz as a strategic welfare intervention to ensure the poorest citizens of Punjab have access to land and housing. It underscores the administration's focus on dignified, long-term support rather than temporary relief, aligning with broader goals of equity, social inclusion, and housing security for the marginalized.

7. Who is eligible to apply for the free 3‑Marla plots?

8. 

   Here are the eligibility criteria for applying to Punjab’s Free 3‑Marla Plot Scheme (Apni Zameen Apna Ghar), aimed at providing honest, landless, low-income families with free residential plots:

    Who Can Apply: Eligibility Requirements

   Based on guidelines from multiple official sources:

• Permanent resident of Punjab (as verified via CNIC), applying in your home district.

• Must not own any residential property, in your own name or that of your spouse or dependent children.

• Monthly household income below approximately Rs. 50,000 (i.e. low-income classification).

• Registered in NSER (or PSER) with a PMT (Poverty Means Test) score below 60%.

• At least 18 years old and the head of the household (married/unmarried).

• Clean legal and financial record:

• No criminal history

• Not a defaulting borrower from any bank or financial institution.

• Preference given to: Widows, orphans, disabled individuals, and daily-wage earners.

• Eligibility Summary

  Requirement	Detail
  Citizenship & Residency	Must be Punjabi resident, applying in own district, valid CNIC
  Property Status	No land, house or plot owned by applicant, spouse, or dependents
  Income Level	Monthly household income below ~Rs. 50,000
  Poverty Score	NSER/PSER registration with PMT score ≤ 60%
  Age & Household Role	≥ 18 years and head of household
  Legal & Financial Standing	Clean record, no bank loan defaults
  Priority Groups	Widows, orphans, disabled persons given preference

  
  

•  Application Context

  • Phase 1 covers 19–22 districts in Punjab (e.g. Jhelum, Attock, Kasur, Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Vehari, etc.) and distributes approx. 1,892–2,000 plots through a computerized lottery system.

  • Applicants must submit accurate, verified information; false declarations lead to disqualification.

  Only genuine low-income, landless families who are verified via NSER/PSER, have no property, maintain a clean record, and reside in one of the eligible districts are allowed to apply. Priority is given to the most vulnerable groups, including widows, disabled individuals, orphans, and daily-wage workers.

9. Is this scheme for the entire province or only selected districts?

10. The Free 3‑Marla Plot Scheme (Apni Zameen Apna Ghar) is currently not implemented province-wide. Instead, it is being rolled out in selected districts of Punjab under a phased approach.
• 
  

The Free 3‑Marla Plot Scheme (Apni Zameen Apna Ghar) is currently being implemented in selected districts of Punjab, not across the entire province.

Phase 1: Selected Districts

In the first phase, the scheme will allocate 1,892 free 3-marla plots across 33 housing schemes in 22 districts. These districts include:

Rawalpindi Division: Attock, Jhelum

Faisalabad Division: Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Chiniot, Mamun Kanjan, Sillanwali

Lahore Region: Pattoki, Okara, Renala Khurd

Sargodha Division: Jhang, Bhakkar, Khushab

Multan Region: Layyah, Vehari, Lodhran, Sahiwal, Chichawatni

Dera Ghazi Khan Division: Fort Munro, Rajanpur

Bahawalpur Region: Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar

These districts have been selected based on factors such as population density, homelessness rates, and land availability.

 Future Phases

The Punjab government plans to expand the scheme to additional districts in future phases. However, as of now, the scheme is not available province-wide. The implementation in other districts will depend on the success and progress of the initial phase.

 Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the scheme, applicants must:

• Be a permanent resident of Punjab

• Not own any property (house, plot, or land) in Pakistan

• Have a clean criminal record

• Not be a defaulter of any bank or financial institution

• Provide accurate and truthful information during the application process

pplication Process

• Applications are accepted only within the applicant’s home district

• The application process is managed through the official portal:rozgarschemehub.blogspot.com

• Are there any income or employment criteria for eligibility?

Yes — for the Free 3‑Marla Plot Scheme (Apni Zameen Apna Ghar) in Punjab, there are specific income and employment criteria applicants must meet:

 Income Criteria

• Household monthly income must be below Rs. 50,000. Only low-income families are eligible.

• Applicants must be registered via the NSER/PSER poverty survey with a PMT score of 60% or lower (indicating eligibility under socio-economic thresholds).

 Employment Criteria

• There’s no explicit mention of forbidding employment in government or private sectors in reputable sources.

• However, eligibility is restricted to low-income households, meaning high-salary or high-grade government employees are unlikely to meet income thresholds (household income < Rs. 50,000).

 Summary Table

Category	Requirement
Household Income	Under ~Rs. 50,000 per month
Poverty Registration	NSER/PSER registered with PMT score ≤ 60%
Employment	No specific ban—but income must be low (i.e. no high-paying jobs)

Additional Notes

• Priority is given to vulnerable groups such as widows, orphans, disabled individuals, and labourers—especially those with low-income profiles.

• Applicants must not own any land or property, reinforcing the focus on economically disadvantaged households.