LAHORE: The provincial government’s flagship housing project – Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Programme (ACAGP) – has been selected for the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN Habitat) Award, with a formal notification issued to this effect.
The Punjab government has also been invited to receive the award on Oct 5 during the global observance of World Habitat Day in Muscat, Oman, Dawn has learnt.
“I am pleased to inform you that the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency, through its Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Programme, has been selected to receive the 2026 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award,” reads the notification issued and signed by Anacláudia Marinheiro Centeno Rossbach, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, on Sept 14.
“We have received the intimation letter from UN-Habitat officially through an email on Monday,” said Phata DG Khwaja Muhammad Zeeshan Sikandar while talking to Dawn.
The UN notification says the selection followed a rigorous competitive process conducted in accordance with established evaluation criteria for nominations received from around the world.
Ms Rossbach said many commendable candidates had been considered for the award, adding that it was the unanimous opinion of UN-Habitat that the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) and its ACAG programme should be formally recognised for their significant contribution to expanding access to adequate, safe and affordable housing for low-income households.
The UN-Habitat executive director said the celebrations would continue beyond World Habitat Day and be followed by a series of in-depth workshops organised by the City of Muscat from Oct 6 to 8. The workshops would provide an opportunity for participants to exchange knowledge and insights.
“It therefore gives me great pleasure to invite you to travel to the City of Muscat, in the Sultanate of Oman, to receive this prestigious award,” the letter says.
UN-Habitat will support the recipient’s participation by providing an economy-class air ticket, accommodation and a daily subsistence allowance, as well as travel information and logistical assistance.
It merits mentioning that the Punjab government had initiated efforts last year to secure a nomination for the award.
The Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme was launched in August 2024.
According to official figures, as of Sept 10, 2026, interest-free loans amounting to Rs259.68 billion had been disbursed to 200,072 applicants across the province.
Note: The headline of this story has been updated to reflect that the Punjab government’s housing project has been selected for the award.
Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2026
