CM Maryam Nawaz inaugurates Punjab Pavilion at World Urban Forum in Baku

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday inaugurated the Punjab Pavilion at the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, presenting the province’s developmental projects and investment opportunities to a global audience. The chief minister addressed the forum, using the international platform to highlight key government initiatives, particularly the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ housing scheme.

During her visit to the pavilion, the chief minister received a briefing from Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) Director General Zeeshan Sikandar on the housing program’s progress. She claimed the flagship initiative had secured a place among the world’s top innovative projects. Attendees were shown a documentary detailing the project’s construction journey, and Ms. Nawaz took a live virtual tour of the housing scheme.

In discussions with international investors, foreign delegates, and media representatives, the chief minister described the housing initiative as being of personal importance to her. She stated it aims to enable deserving families to build homes through a transparent and non-discriminatory loan distribution system. According to the chief minister, 600 to 700 houses are being constructed daily, with more than 100,000 homes completed within a single year.

The Punjab Pavilion reportedly emerged as a major attraction at the forum, drawing significant interest from attendees. International delegates and media praised the chief minister’s vision and welfare-oriented policies, with the project’s swift implementation being described as a potential model for other countries.

Separately, the chief minister’s advisor met with Azerbaijan’s Digital Development Agency to explore potential cooperation in the fields of information technology and artificial intelligence, expanding the scope of the official visit.