“Roti, Kapra Aur Makan,” how many times have we heard this slogan? Almost more than 100 times, isn’t it true? Though this slogan was introduced by one of the famous political parties of Pakistan, by claiming that bread, clothes, and shelter are the basic needs of every human being. There is nothing wrong with this concept and perception. Indeed, an individual cannot live their life without these three necessities of life. If one doesn’t get food, they would die for sure. If someone didn’t get proper clothing, they would die with the cold and hot intensity of the weather, and if someone didn’t get proper shelter, they would become food to other creatures because proper shelter provides complete protection.
In other words, if there is no shelter, then the survival of an individual is not possible. Of course, as everyone knows, having one’s shelter is complete protection, but what about those who can’t afford to have their own home?
This question arises when we think about Pakistan’s economic conditions and unemployment cases. Therefore, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Government initiated a Prime Minister Housing scheme named Naya Pakistan Housing society.
Prime Minister Housing Scheme
There is no doubt Imran khan’s government, since it came to power, brought tremendous changes in the government system of Pakistan. Economic development and poverty alleviation were the essential goals of Imran khan. Since then, we practically see numerous developments, including different schemes and programs, e.g., the Ehsas program and Prime Minister Housing Scheme. The initiative of the Prime Minister Housing Scheme was commenced in the year 2020. The objective of this scheme was the provision of a house to deserving people who can’t afford to have or build their own house due to low income. Therefore, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s initiated low-cost housing finance scheme has recently constructed around 3.35 billion rupees for low-income families to construct 7,572 housing units with the support of Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance all around Pakistan.
Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance
The Prime Minister Low-Cost Housing Scheme, created by the ministry of housing and works, provides qualified families with financial help up to Rs5000,000 through Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance (AIM).
AIM was established as a corporation under “Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984” to provide interest-free microfinance to the poor and underprivileged to improve their living standards. AIM aspires to reduce poverty by developing a system based on mutual support in a society founded on the principles of justice and fraternity. It accomplishes this by building centers in religious settings, encouraging and utilizing volunteers, and seeking to transform its borrowers into change agents. To date, Akhuwat has granted a total of 4.2 million interest-free loans worth PKR 128 billion ($805 million), assisting over 3 million families.
Hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged households have benefited from Akhuwat’s interest-free microfinance loans since its inception in 2001.
Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance (AIM) is Akhuwat’s flagship initiative, providing interest-free loans to the poor to help them build sustainable paths out of poverty. AIM is the world’s most extensive interest-free microfinance program, Alhamdulliah, with over 800 branches in over 400 cities across Pakistan.
Conclusion
Having one’s own house is a basic necessity and right for everyone. This should be the responsibility of every state’s ruler to provide this basic need to each individual under his territory. As the initiative of Prime Minister Housing scheme was taken back in 2020 has recently completed almost 7000 housing units around Pakistan to give a choice to those low-income families to have their own house.
