The State Bank of Pakistan Rawalpindi held a consultative session on Thursday to support the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Housing Programme, “Ghar Ho Tou Apna, Apna Ghar Programme”, while bringing together stakeholders to discuss challenges affecting the execution of the initiative. The session was attended by representatives from 25 commercial banks, officials of the Rawalpindi Development Authority, members of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representatives from 34 housing societies, university students and members of the public. The consultation provided a platform for participants to discuss operational and documentation issues and identify measures that could make the housing programme more accessible and easier to implement. The meeting also focused on the role of financial institutions, developers and government authorities in expanding access to affordable housing and improving coordination among the stakeholders involved in the process.
The session was chaired by Chief Manager State Bank of Pakistan Rawalpindi Rizwan Khaleel Shamsi, who recognised the role of commercial banks in facilitating the Prime Minister’s housing initiative. He encouraged developers and housing societies to place greater emphasis on vertical housing projects, describing high-rise developments as a more sustainable and affordable approach to addressing Pakistan’s housing requirements. According to Shamsi, the continued expansion of housing societies in recent years has contributed to the reduction of forests and green spaces, creating environmental concerns alongside the country’s growing housing needs. He said vertical urban development could help address these challenges by allowing more people to be accommodated within existing urban areas while reducing pressure on additional land. He also referred to successful low-cost housing models adopted in other countries and suggested that comparable approaches could be adapted according to Pakistan’s local requirements and circumstances.
During the consultation, representatives of commercial banks discussed documentation-related challenges associated with the housing programme and provided housing society representatives with information about its features. The discussions were also aimed at improving public awareness regarding the programme and helping potential beneficiaries understand the requirements involved in accessing housing finance. Participants identified documentation and procedural requirements as areas where improvements could help accelerate the implementation process. They proposed the introduction of a one-window documentation system at the Rawalpindi Development Authority to simplify procedures for applicants and other stakeholders. The participants also recommended appointing dedicated focal persons from the Rawalpindi Development Authority and revenue authorities who could coordinate with applicants and relevant institutions and facilitate faster processing of documentation. These proposals were discussed as possible measures to reduce delays and improve coordination between banks, housing societies, government departments and prospective homeowners.
Mortgage and lien-marking procedures were also discussed during the session, with stakeholders sharing operational challenges encountered during the implementation of housing finance arrangements. Participants exchanged views on measures that could improve these processes and strengthen coordination among the institutions responsible for documentation, property-related procedures and financing. The consultation brought together stakeholders with different roles in the housing ecosystem, allowing commercial banks, housing societies, government authorities and members of the public to raise concerns and suggest practical measures. Senior Deputy Chief Manager Umar Siddique Khattak said additional high-level engagements would be organised in the coming months to continue discussions around the implementation of the housing programme. He also proposed establishing a working group comprising key stakeholders to prepare recommendations aimed at promoting affordable housing across Pakistan. The proposed group would provide a platform for continued coordination and could help identify broader measures for addressing challenges associated with affordable housing delivery.
The session concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to supporting low-cost housing initiatives and improving the implementation of the Prime Minister’s housing programme. The State Bank of Pakistan Rawalpindi’s consultation highlighted the importance of cooperation between financial institutions, housing developers, government authorities and other stakeholders in expanding access to affordable housing. The emphasis on vertical development also placed urban land use and environmental considerations within the broader discussion on housing affordability. By encouraging high-rise and vertically planned projects, stakeholders believe housing development can be pursued while limiting additional pressure on green spaces and available land. At the same time, proposals for streamlined documentation, dedicated government focal persons and improved mortgage and lien-marking procedures are intended to address some of the practical obstacles faced by applicants and participating institutions. Further engagements and the proposed stakeholder working group are expected to continue discussions on measures that can strengthen affordable housing initiatives across Pakistan.
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