Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, taking notice of the issues being faced in the buying and selling of wheat across the country, constituted a cabinet committee to address the matter.
The meeting of the federal cabinet was held here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
During the meeting, the recommendations of the cabinet committee formed to review the Hajj Policy 2027-2030 by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony were also presented before the cabinet.
Approving the committee’s recommendations, the federal cabinet directed that an accountability mechanism be developed for the Ministry of Religious Affairs and private Hajj operators to ensure the protection of pilgrims’ rights.
On the recommendation of the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, the federal cabinet approved handing over the construction and development of a low-cost housing project in Farash Town, Islamabad, for residents of Islamabad’s informal settlements (Kachi Abadis) to the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
On the recommendation of the Revenue Division, the federal cabinet approved conducting departmental promotion examinations for Pakistan Customs officers, including Inspectors Customs, Intelligence Officers, Preventive Officers, Appraising Officers, and Valuation Officers, through the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).
The federal cabinet also approved the decisions taken during the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases held on April 29, 2026. However, the cabinet directed that the opinion of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) be sought regarding amendments to the Tobacco Marketing Control Rules, 2016.
Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in Pakistan’s housing sector as rapid population growth and unplanned urban expansion were increasing pressure on agricultural land and required an effective long-term strategy.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on housing sector reforms here, the prime minister said provision of affordable housing for low-income groups, promotion of low-cost housing schemes, encouragement of private sector participation and improvement in public amenities were among the government’s top priorities, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
He directed authorities to digitize and automate all matters related to the housing sector in order to enhance transparency and improve governance.
During the meeting, officials presented various proposals aimed at introducing reforms in the housing sector. Participants were informed that the regulatory framework would be simplified to facilitate credible investors and developers and promote transparency in housing projects.
The meeting was briefed that registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan should be made mandatory for all entities operating in the housing and development sector.
The officials also proposed the formulation of a strategy to prevent unplanned urban sprawl and encouraged vertical expansion and construction of high-rise buildings in major cities to efficiently utilize land resources.
The meeting further discussed proposals for master town planning in large urban centers and the establishment of a one-window system to protect the rights of developers, buyers, and other stakeholders.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to hold consultations with provincial governments on the proposed reforms and policy measures.
Separately, Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan were brotherly countries and their bilateral ties were growing stronger with every passing day.
The prime minister, in a meeting with Justice Minister of Azerbaijan Farid Turab Oglu Ahmadov, who called on him here, conveyed his warmest greetings for Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, while fondly recalling their telephone conversation earlier this week.
The prime minister was assisted by Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch.
During their “warm and cordial” meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed the visiting minister and said that the relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan were growing stronger day by day.
While thanking the prime minister for receiving him, the Azerbaijani minister thanked Pakistan for the warmth and hospitality extended to him.
He briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz on the ongoing collaboration between the two countries in the field of legal and judicial cooperation.
As part of their existing mechanisms, the two sides are working together actively to enhance mutual legal assistance mechanisms as well as to ensure capacity building of the judicial systems of the two countries.
The prime minister appreciated the efforts of the two sides and said that he looked forward to meeting President Ilham Aliyev soon, in order to continue the excellent bilateral cooperation between the two sides, across all spheres.