Quick Answer: To check your PMT score for Apna Ghar eligibility, send your 13-digit CNIC as an SMS to 8171, you'll get an instant reply with your score. Or visit 8171.bisp.gov.pk and enter your CNIC online. For Apni Chhat Apna Ghar (ACAG), your PMT score must be 60 or below to qualify. If your score is above 60, you cannot artificially lower it, but you can request a BISP re-survey if your household's financial situation has changed since your last NSER survey. Re-survey takes 2,4 weeks and is free.
If your Apni Chhat Apna Ghar application got rejected with the reason "PMT score above 60," you're not alone, it's the single most common rejection reason in the entire scheme. The good news is most "above 60" rejections aren't because you're truly above the line. They're because your NSER survey is outdated, sometimes 5,8 years old, and reflects a household situation that no longer exists. Update the data, and the score recalculates.
This guide explains exactly what the PMT score is, the three official ways to check it (SMS, online portal, in-person), why the 60 threshold exists for Apna Ghar specifically, and the step-by-step process to request a free BISP re-survey if your score is incorrectly high. We've also included a separate section on the legal vs illegal ways to update your data, because misrepresenting household details to lower your score is fraud and leads to permanent disqualification.
Quick Facts: PMT Score for Apna Ghar at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Proxy Means Test (PMT) Score |
| Range | 0 to 100 (lower = poorer) |
| Apna Ghar (ACAG) Threshold | 60 or below to qualify |
| AZAG (3-Marla Plot) Threshold | 60 or below |
| BISP Kafalat Threshold | 32 or below |
| Underlying Survey | NSER (National Socio-Economic Registry) |
| Survey Conducted By | BISP (Benazir Income Support Programme) |
| SMS Check | Send CNIC to 8171 |
| Online Check | 8171.bisp.gov.pk |
| Re-Survey Time | 2,4 weeks |
| Re-Survey Cost | Free, no fee |
| Helpline | 0800-26477 (BISP) / 0800-09100 (ACAG) |
What Is the PMT Score?
The Proxy Means Test (PMT) Score is a poverty measurement number, ranging from 0 to 100, that the Government of Pakistan uses to identify households eligible for various social welfare and housing programs. The lower your score, the poorer your household is considered to be, and the more government support you qualify for.
The PMT score is calculated automatically by the BISP system based on data collected during the NSER (National Socio-Economic Registry) Dynamic Survey. It's not something you set yourself, it's derived from a weighted formula that looks at your household's:
- Total monthly income (all earners combined)
- Household size (total members and dependents)
- Asset ownership (livestock, vehicles, motorcycles, agricultural land)
- Education level of head of family
- Housing type (pukka brick / katcha mud / rented / owned)
- Utility expenses (monthly electricity, gas, water bills)
- International travel history (any family member's travel)
- Disability status (disability significantly reduces score)
- Widow/orphan status (priority indicators)
The same PMT score is used across multiple welfare programs, BISP Kafalat, Ehsaas, Apna Ghar, Apni Zameen Apna Ghar, Sehat Card, Nigehban Card, and others. Each program has its own threshold (BISP Kafalat at 32, Apna Ghar at 60, etc.).
Why Apna Ghar Uses 60 as the Threshold (Not 32)
This is a question many applicants ask: "If BISP Kafalat needs PMT 32 or below, why does Apna Ghar accept up to 60?"
The answer is design intent. BISP Kafalat is a direct cash transfer program for the absolute poorest households, Rs 13,500 quarterly to families that often can't afford basic food. The 32-point threshold targets the bottom ~20% of Pakistani households.
Apni Chhat Apna Ghar is a housing loan program, meant for low-income families who can repay Rs 14,000/month over 7 years if given an interest-free loan. These families need to be poor enough to qualify for government support but stable enough to make monthly payments. The 60-point threshold targets roughly the bottom 40,45% of households, a wider net that includes daily wage workers, small farmers, low-grade government employees, widows, and families in informal employment who can't access bank mortgages.
Setting the threshold higher means more families qualify; setting it lower means concentration on the poorest. Punjab Government chose 60 for ACAG specifically to expand the reach of homeownership without diluting the program's targeting.
How to Check Your PMT Score, Three Official Methods
Method 1: SMS to 8171 (Fastest)
This is the easiest method, works on any phone, anywhere in Pakistan.
- Open your phone's SMS/Messaging app
- Type your 13-digit CNIC number with no dashes or spaces
- Send it to 8171
- Within 1,5 minutes, you'll receive a reply with:
- Your PMT score
- Your eligibility status for various programs
- Whether you qualify for BISP Kafalat (32 or below)
Cost: Standard SMS rate (Rs 1,2). The 8171 service itself is free.
If you don't get a reply within 10 minutes, your CNIC may not be in the NSER system, meaning you've never been surveyed. In that case, visit your nearest BISP Tehsil Office for fresh registration.
Method 2: Online via BISP Web Portal
- Visit 8171.bisp.gov.pk in your browser
- Find the "PMT Score Check" or "Eligibility Check" section on the homepage
- Enter your 13-digit CNIC (no dashes)
- Solve the CAPTCHA
- Click Submit
- Your score and eligibility status display on screen
The online portal also shows:
- Last NSER survey date
- Family member breakdown
- Eligibility for specific programs (Kafalat, Ehsaas, Apna Ghar, Sehat Card)
Tip: During peak periods (BISP payment cycles, Ramzan, post-budget announcements), the portal can be slow or down. Use SMS as a backup.
Method 3: In-Person at BISP Tehsil Office or NADRA Center
For applicants who don't have a phone or want a printed report:
- Visit your nearest BISP Tehsil Office or NADRA e-Sahulat Center
- Bring your original CNIC
- Ask the staff to "PMT score check karwana hai"
- Staff verifies your identity and prints your score with eligibility details
This method is also useful if your CNIC is showing errors online, the staff can help diagnose the underlying problem.
What Each PMT Score Means for Apna Ghar
Here's exactly how your PMT score determines what you qualify for:
| PMT Score Range | What It Means | Apna Ghar Eligibility | Other Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0,32 | Extreme poverty | ✅ Apna Ghar (ACAG + AZAG) | ✅ BISP Kafalat (full benefits) |
| 33,40 | Very low income | ✅ Apna Ghar (priority) | ✅ Ehsaas Programs |
| 41,50 | Low income | ✅ Apna Ghar (eligible) | ✅ Some Ehsaas, Sehat Card |
| 51,60 | Lower-middle income | ✅ Apna Ghar (eligible) | ⚠️ Limited, Sehat Card, Nigehban |
| 61,70 | Middle income | ❌ Apna Ghar rejected | ❌ Most cash programs |
| 71,100 | Upper-middle / above | ❌ Apna Ghar rejected | Apply for federal PM Apna Ghar instead |
If your score is just above 60 (61,65 range), you have the strongest case for a re-survey because the gap is small and likely caused by outdated data.
Why Your PMT Score Might Be Wrongly High
After analyzing thousands of complaint patterns from BISP forums and Apna Ghar rejection appeals, here are the most common reasons for an incorrectly high PMT score:
1. Outdated NSER Survey
The original NSER survey was conducted in 2010,2011, with dynamic survey updates rolling out in 2021,2024. If your household was surveyed 5+ years ago and your situation has changed (job loss, family deaths, increased dependents), your score may reflect an old reality.
Fix: Request a dynamic re-survey at BISP Tehsil Office.
2. Incorrect Family Size Recording
If only 3 family members were recorded but you actually have 6, your "income per person" calculation comes out higher than reality. Larger families typically have lower PMT scores because shared income spreads thinner.
Fix: Provide updated B-Forms and FRC at re-survey to add family members.
3. Phantom Asset Ownership
The system may show you owning livestock, a motorcycle, or agricultural land that you sold years ago. Asset records aren't auto-updated when you sell.
Fix: Bring sale deeds or transfer documents to the BISP office; staff can update the record.
4. Disability Not Recorded
A family member with disability significantly lowers the household PMT score, but this only happens if disability is registered on CNIC or NADRA records.
Fix: Get disability marking added to CNIC at NADRA, then request BISP to update NSER records.
5. Death Not Updated
If a primary earner passed away but the death isn't recorded in NADRA, the system still counts their old income.
Fix: Update NADRA with death certificate, then BISP to update NSER.
6. Income Misrecorded
Sometimes during the original survey, income was estimated incorrectly, especially for irregular workers (daily wage, seasonal, agricultural).
Fix: Provide current income proof or self-declaration affidavit at re-survey.
7. Internationally Traveled Family Member
Recent international travel by any family member can flag household as "non-poor", even if the travel was a one-time religious pilgrimage funded by relatives.
Fix: Provide context at re-survey; this is one of the trickier corrections.
How to Request a BISP Re-Survey, Step-by-Step
If your PMT score is incorrectly high and you have legitimate reasons (outdated data, missing family members, sold assets, etc.), here's the exact process:
Step 1: Locate Your Nearest BISP Tehsil Office
Visit bisp.gov.pk to find the office serving your tehsil. There are over 600 BISP Tehsil Offices across Pakistan, plus NADRA e-Sahulat Centers that can also process re-survey requests.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Bring these in original:
- CNIC of applicant (and spouse if married)
- B-Forms of all unmarried children
- Family Registration Certificate (FRC) from NADRA
- Death certificates if any family member has passed
- Sale deeds if you've sold any assets
- Income proof (latest salary slip / business records / self-declaration)
- Disability certificate if applicable
- Recent utility bills (electricity, gas)
Step 3: Submit Re-Survey Request
At the BISP office:
- Inform the staff you want to request a "Dynamic NSER Re-Survey"
- Explain the specific reason (e.g., "family size has increased," "primary earner passed away," "we sold our motorcycle in 2023")
- Submit your supporting documents
- Get a request acknowledgment slip with a tracking number
Step 4: Wait for Field Verification
A BISP enumerator will visit your home for verification within 1,3 weeks. They will:
- Confirm your home address
- Verify the number of family members present
- Check for declared and undeclared assets
- Take photos of your housing condition
Be present at home and cooperate fully. If you're not home, they may schedule another visit, delaying the process.
Step 5: Wait for Score Update
After field verification, your data is entered into the NSER system and your PMT score is recalculated automatically. This takes another 1,2 weeks.
Step 6: Verify Updated Score
Once 4 weeks have passed since your re-survey request, check your updated score:
- SMS your CNIC to 8171
- Or visit 8171.bisp.gov.pk online
If the new score is 60 or below, immediately re-apply for Apni Chhat Apna Ghar at acag.punjab.gov.pk.
Legal vs Illegal Ways to Lower PMT Score
This is critical to understand because the line between "correcting wrong data" and "fraud" determines whether you stay eligible for any government program.
Legal Updates (Encouraged by BISP)
These are corrections of genuinely wrong data:
- ✅ Adding family members born or married into the household
- ✅ Removing family members who died
- ✅ Removing assets you've genuinely sold
- ✅ Adding disability if a family member has been certified
- ✅ Updating income if a primary earner lost their job
- ✅ Correcting housing type (e.g., changing from "owned pukka" to "rented" if you moved)
Illegal Misrepresentation (Will Permanently Disqualify You)
Don't do these, they will get you blacklisted:
- ❌ Hiding genuine income or assets you still own
- ❌ Adding fake family members
- ❌ Falsely claiming a family member died
- ❌ Hiding international travel by family
- ❌ Underreporting utility bills
- ❌ Bribing a BISP enumerator to record false data
The penalty for misrepresentation is permanent disqualification from all welfare programs, Apna Ghar, BISP Kafalat, Ehsaas, Sehat Card, all of them. Some cases are also referred to FIA for criminal prosecution. The system cross-checks data against NADRA, FBR, excise records, and immigration databases, fraud is detected.
What If My Re-Survey Doesn't Lower My Score?
Sometimes the re-survey confirms your score is genuinely above 60. In that case:
Option 1: Apply for the Federal PM Apna Ghar Programme Instead
The federal scheme has no PMT requirement, it's based on income and credit eligibility. If your monthly household income is between Rs 60,000 and Rs 200,000, you may qualify for the federal scheme even if the Punjab ACAG rejected you.
Apply at apnaghar.gov.pk.
Option 2: Try Other Bank Housing Products
Several banks offer housing finance products outside the federal scheme:
- Bank of Punjab, BOP Apna Ghar (commercial housing finance)
- HBFC, House Building Finance Company products
- Bank Alfalah, Islamic and conventional home finance
- Meezan Bank, Easy Home (Shariah-compliant)
These have higher markups (12,18%) but no PMT requirement.
Option 3: Apply for Apni Zameen Apna Ghar (AZAG) Instead
If you're truly landless, AZAG (free 3-marla plot scheme) has the same 60 PMT threshold but uses computerized balloting, meaning you might get selected even with a borderline score because of district-quota mechanics.
Option 4: Wait for the Threshold to Update
The Punjab Government periodically reviews program thresholds. As more families join the system and demographics shift, the 60-point threshold may be revised upward in future phases. Bookmark acag.punjab.gov.pk for threshold updates.
Common PMT Score Errors and How to Fix Them
"CNIC Not Found in System"
Cause: You've never been surveyed under NSER. The system has no data on you. Fix: Visit BISP Tehsil Office for fresh NSER registration (not re-survey). Takes 2,4 weeks.
"Score Showing as 0 / Blank"
Cause: Survey was started but never completed, or data entry error at BISP. Fix: Visit BISP Tehsil Office; request data entry verification.
"Score Looks Way Too High Compared to My Reality"
Cause: Most likely outdated data, survey is 5+ years old. Fix: Request dynamic re-survey at BISP.
"Score Showing Wife's CNIC, Not Mine"
Cause: Husband and wife are sometimes recorded under the same household with the wife as head of family. Fix: Visit BISP and request head-of-family update if applicable.
"Different Score on Different Portals"
Cause: Third-party "PMT check" websites pull old cached data. Only the official 8171 SMS and 8171.bisp.gov.pk are real-time. Fix: Trust only official BISP sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your household's PMT score must be 60 or below to qualify for Apni Chhat Apna Ghar (ACAG) and Apni Zameen Apna Ghar (AZAG). Lower scores receive priority during processing.
Three methods: (1) SMS your 13-digit CNIC to 8171 for instant reply, (2) Visit 8171.bisp.gov.pk and enter your CNIC online, or (3) Visit your nearest BISP Tehsil Office or NADRA e-Sahulat Center in person.
The PMT score is a poverty measurement number (0,100) calculated from your household's income, family size, asset ownership, education, housing type, and utility expenses. Lower scores indicate poorer households.
Most likely your NSER survey is outdated, possibly from 2010,2018, and doesn't reflect your current situation. Common causes: family size changes not recorded, sold assets still showing, deceased members still counted, or income wrongly estimated. Request a re-survey at BISP.
You cannot artificially lower your score, but you can correct outdated or wrong data that's inflating it. This is done through a free dynamic re-survey at your nearest BISP Tehsil Office. It takes 2,4 weeks.
The full process takes 2,4 weeks: 1,3 weeks for the field enumerator to visit and verify, plus 1,2 weeks for data entry and recalculation. After 4 weeks, check your updated score via 8171 SMS.
Yes, completely free. No application fee, no re-survey fee, no processing charge. Anyone asking for money to "fast-track" your survey or "guarantee" a lower score is a scammer. Report to FIA Cybercrime (1991).
CNIC (and spouse's), B-Forms for children, FRC from NADRA, death certificates if any family member died, sale deeds if assets were sold, recent income proof, disability certificate if applicable, and recent utility bills.
You can apply for the federal PM Apna Ghar Programme instead, it has no PMT requirement, just income and credit eligibility. Or look at private bank housing products like Bank Alfalah, HBFC, or Meezan Easy Home (higher markup but no PMT check).
Yes. Misrepresenting household details to artificially lower your PMT score is fraud and leads to permanent disqualification from all government welfare and housing programs (BISP, Apna Ghar, Sehat Card, Ehsaas). Some cases are referred to FIA for criminal prosecution.
Not automatically, but it can raise your PMT score if recorded in NADRA's travel database. If your travel was a one-time pilgrimage funded by relatives, you can explain the context during re-survey. Frequent or commercial travel typically does disqualify you.
Yes, using their CNIC. SMS their 13-digit CNIC to 8171 (or enter online). However, the score is calculated at the household level, so all family members of the same household typically share a similar PMT score.
The NSER (National Socio-Economic Registry) is the underlying database of household data collected through surveys. The PMT score is the calculated poverty indicator (0,100) derived from NSER data. NSER is the input; PMT is the output.
Your PMT score recalculates automatically when your NSER data is updated, typically through a re-survey or NADRA changes (births, deaths, marriages). The score itself doesn't have a fixed "expiry", it stays valid until your underlying data changes.
BISP Helpline: 0800-26477 (toll-free) ACAG Helpline: 0800-09100 (toll-free for Apna Ghar specific questions) Nearest BISP Tehsil Office, find via bisp.gov.pk NADRA e-Sahulat Center, most can also help
Beware of Fake "PMT Score" Websites
Multiple fake websites have appeared offering "PMT score check" that:
- Steal your CNIC and personal data
- Show fabricated scores to get you to "pay for resurvey"
- Sell your contact details to scam call centers
Real sources are limited to:
- ✅ SMS to 8171 (the only SMS shortcode)
- ✅ 8171.bisp.gov.pk (official BISP portal)
- ✅ Physical BISP Tehsil Offices and NADRA e-Sahulat Centers
If a website asks you to pay a fee for "PMT score certificate" or "guaranteed score reduction," it's fraud. Report to FIA Cybercrime at helpline 1991.
Final Word: Don't Give Up If Your Score Is Above 60
Most "PMT above 60" rejections we've reviewed are fixable through a free re-survey. The system isn't perfect, outdated data is everywhere, especially for households surveyed 5+ years ago whose situations have changed dramatically.
Action plan if your ACAG application was rejected for PMT:
- Day 1: Check your current score via SMS to 8171
- Day 2: Visit your nearest BISP Tehsil Office with all documents
- Day 3: Submit re-survey request and get acknowledgment slip
- Days 4,28: Wait for field verification visit
- Day 30: Check updated score via 8171
- Day 31 (if score is now 60 or below): Re-apply for ACAG immediately
The total time investment is one month and the cost is zero rupees. If your score genuinely was misrecorded, you've now unlocked a Rs 1.5 million interest-free housing loan worth about Rs 9.7 million in saved interest over 7 years.
SMS your CNIC to: 8171 Online portal: 8171.bisp.gov.pk ACAG application portal: acag.punjab.gov.pk BISP helpline: 0800-26477 ACAG helpline: 0800-09100 FIA Cybercrime (fraud): 1991
Read our companion guides:
- Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Status Check by CNIC
- Apna Ghar Online Registration 2026, Form, Last Date & Login
- PM Apna Ghar vs Apni Chhat Apna Ghar, Which One Should You Apply For?
- Apna Ghar Required Documents Checklist
Disclaimer: This article is informational only. The PMT score is calculated and maintained by the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) under the Government of Pakistan. The Apna Ghar PMT threshold of 60 is set by the Punjab Government's Apni Chhat Apna Ghar (ACAG) program. Always check your score through official BISP channels (SMS 8171, 8171.bisp.gov.pk, or BISP Tehsil Offices). Misrepresenting household data to lower your PMT score is a punishable offense under Pakistani law.