Punjab’s chief minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has been invited to Muscat, Oman, to accept the United Nations Habitat Scroll of Honour Award on 5 October 2026, coinciding with the global observance of World Habitat Day. The accolade recognises the province’s “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” (Our Roof, Our Home) housing scheme, which has delivered affordable dwellings to low‑income families across Punjab.
The UN‑Habitat Scroll of Honour, presented annually to cities, regions or programmes that demonstrate exemplary commitment to sustainable urban development, will be handed to the Punjab government at a ceremony organised by the UN‑Habitat office in Muscat. Officials from the United Nations and the Omani Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning confirmed that the award reflects the “transformative impact” of the housing initiative on vulnerable communities.
Launched in 2022, “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” aims to address Pakistan’s chronic housing shortage by constructing low‑cost, structurally sound homes for families earning below the national poverty line. According to Punjab’s Housing Department, more than 250 000 units have been completed or are under construction, benefitting an estimated 1.2 million residents in rural and peri‑urban areas. The programme is funded through a mix of provincial budget allocations, public‑private partnerships and low‑interest financing schemes, and is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11 on inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.
The award is expected to bolster the provincial government’s push for further urban‑rural integration and to attract additional international cooperation. In a statement, the chief minister highlighted that the recognition “validates our commitment to providing dignified shelter for every Pakistani family” and underscored plans to expand the scheme to an additional 150 000 homes over the next three years. UN‑Habitat representatives noted that Punjab’s model could serve as a replicable template for other developing regions grappling with rapid urbanisation and housing deficits.
Political analysts observe that the honour arrives at a time when the provincial administration is under pressure to deliver on its broader development agenda. The award may strengthen the ruling party’s narrative of effective governance, particularly ahead of upcoming local elections. Opposition figures, however, have urged the government to disclose detailed cost‑benefit analyses and to ensure that the quality of construction meets international standards.
International observers view the ceremony as a symbolic convergence of South Asian development priorities with global sustainability goals. The timing—aligned with World Habitat Day—spotlights Pakistan’s progress in addressing shelter insecurity, a sector that has traditionally lagged behind in the country’s development discourse. As the ceremony approaches, provincial officials are preparing a delegation of senior policymakers and beneficiaries to attend the event in Muscat, hoping to showcase the lived impact of the housing programme on the ground.