By Faizan Khan
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched a lottery for 720 newly constructed flats aimed at providing housing for homeless industrial workers in the province, marking a significant step in the government’s efforts to improve living conditions for laborers.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the draw by pressing a button and congratulating the successful applicants, while announcing plans to complete an additional 1,872 flats over the next 18 months. She also directed that widows and persons with special needs be given priority and allocated units on the ground floor for greater accessibility and safety. The event highlighted the provincial administration’s broader commitment to affordable housing for industrial workers.
In Sheikhupura, the Quaid-e-Azam Business Park is set to host a bachelor hostel for 700 workers, with completion expected within three months. As part of a personal touch, the Chief Minister called industrial worker Nadeem Tahir to congratulate him, reminding him of the role his parents’ prayers played in his success and encouraging him to keep them close.
Beyond the initial draw, the housing initiative includes the allotment of 672 flats in Sindh Phase II, 656 in Multan, and 544 in Warburton, Nankana Sahib. In Jhang’s Kamalia area, 2,000 industrial workers will be provided with free three-marla plots, with infrastructure development already underway for 1,300 workers in Jhang and 700 in Kamalia.
Officials said the program reflects the government’s focus on supporting industrial workers by not only providing shelter but also ensuring safer and more dignified living conditions. The initiative is part of a larger provincial effort to address the housing needs of laborers who form the backbone of Punjab’s industrial sector, offering them security, stability, and a stake in the province’s growing urban landscape.
