First Lady and National Assembly member Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said that housing is a fundamental right. She added that the Pakistan Peoples Party’s promises include food, clothing, and shelter.
Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum 2026, she highlighted the importance of safe housing. She said it has a deep impact on women and children. “Secure homes and financial inclusion empower women beyond their households,” she said.
Aseefa Bhutto noted that millions of families in the region are affected by climate change and social challenges. She said the lack of safe housing is not only a material problem. It also affects dignity and opportunities. “Housing is not just a roof over your head. It is the foundation of health, education, and stability,” she added.
She said permanent housing is where families recover. It is where children dream and communities progress. She emphasized that women play a crucial role in families, social harmony, and long-term development. “When women are at the center of housing projects, the entire society becomes more resilient,” she explained.
The First Lady highlighted the Asia-Pacific region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. She said floods, storms, earthquakes, and extreme heat are displacing communities. These challenges are putting pressure on settlements. She stressed that environmental sustainability must be integrated into every stage, from design to community governance.
Aseefa Bhutto gave Sindh as an example. She mentioned the PPP Housing for Flood-Affected Program launched after the 2022 floods. She said it is the world’s largest climate-resilient housing program. It has built over 2.1 million homes and directly benefited more than 15 million people.
She added that registering homes and land in women’s names strengthens their dignity, protection, and financial inclusion. She said rehabilitation after disasters is not just about building structures. It is about restoring lives and the future.
She emphasized that strong communities require social cohesion. Communities grow through trust, participation, and a sense of ownership. Decision-making and future investments make recovery faster, deeper, and more sustainable.
The First Lady encouraged collaboration among governments, partners, civil society, private sectors, and communities. She said, “We must adopt affordable, local, climate-resilient solutions. These solutions should include marginalized communities. We must move beyond dialogue and focus on action.”
