Aseefa Bhutto resilient housing call at Asia-Pacific forum

First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari renewed her Aseefa Bhutto resilient housing message on Thursday while addressing the Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum 2026 in Karachi. She urged regional leaders and development partners to promote affordable, inclusive, and climate-safe housing solutions to support vulnerable communities.

She welcomed the gathering of policymakers, civil society, and private sector representatives. According to her, the forum created an important platform to tackle shelter challenges faced by millions across the Asia-Pacific region.

Aseefa noted that climate change and social pressures continue to disrupt families. As a result, many people struggle with unsafe living conditions. She explained that poor housing is not only about physical structures but also affects dignity, opportunity, and long-term stability.

“Housing is not just a roof,” she said, adding that a secure home supports health, education, and community growth. She also described housing as a basic right and referred to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s long-standing vision of “roti, kapra aur makan.”

The first lady emphasized that safe homes strongly influence the wellbeing of women and children. When women gain financial inclusion and housing security, she said, the benefits extend throughout society. Therefore, she called for policies that strengthen protection and economic participation for women.

Highlighting environmental risks, Aseefa stated that the Asia-Pacific region remains highly vulnerable to floods, storms, earthquakes, and extreme heat. Because of this, sustainability must guide housing design, planning, and governance.

She pointed to Sindh as a practical example. After the destructive floods of 2022, the Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affectees programme began building more than 2.1 million climate-resilient houses. The initiative aims to assist over 15 million people.

Importantly, land titles and homes are being issued in women’s names. This step, she said, promotes dignity, security, and financial independence while helping families rebuild their futures.

Reaffirming her Aseefa Bhutto resilient housing stance, she stressed that strong communities rely on trust, participation, and shared ownership. Inclusive decision-making, she added, remains essential for lasting recovery and development.

Aseefa further encouraged governments and stakeholders to move beyond discussion and adopt practical, locally driven solutions. These approaches, she said, must prioritize vulnerable populations and environmental resilience.

She concluded by expressing hope that the forum would deliver real progress rather than symbolic commitments. The true success of such efforts, she remarked, should be measured by safer lives, empowered women, and communities prepared to face future challenges.