Journalists’ dream of owning a home nears reality: Azma BokhariPunjab government to allot 3,200 plots to journalists

By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE, March 10: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari chaired an important meeting of the Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation to review the scrutiny process of applications received for Journalist Housing Society Phase-II.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Information Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani, Director General Public Relations Farid Ahmad, President Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari, senior journalists Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami and Salman Ghani, along with representatives of Ravi Urban Development Authority including Abid Latif.
Participants decided to establish a Scrutiny Committee to examine the received applications and submit its report within 15 days. The committee comprises Farid Ahmad, Arshad Ansari, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami and Salman Ghani. It will review applications from both members of the Lahore Press Club and non-member journalists.
During the meeting, the payment mechanism for the plots was clarified. According to the proposed plan, plot payments will be made in monthly installments of Rs. 15,000 over seven years, while the remaining balance will be payable as a lump sum with the final installment.
Azma Bokhari proposed that only one plot should be allotted per family to ensure that the maximum number of deserving journalists benefit from the scheme. She also suggested that in cases where both husband and wife are journalists and apply separately, the plot could be allotted in the wife’s name to promote women’s empowerment.
President Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari raised concerns about the procedure in case couples later separate or divorce. Senior journalist Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami suggested devising a clear mechanism for joint allotment or transfer, while Salman Ghani proposed that such cases should be reviewed individually. The meeting agreed that all husband-wife applications would be carefully examined based on facts and merit.
Azma Bokhari said that the Punjab Government plans to allot 3,200 plots to journalists, bringing their long-awaited dream of owning a home closer to reality. She added that the Scrutiny Committee’s report will be submitted to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who will personally allot plots to journalists.
She emphasized that the provincial government remains committed to the welfare of journalists and will continue taking practical measures to address their issues.