ISLAMABAD, August 10, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the Federal Cabinet in Islamabad on Monday, where the cabinet approved the National Housing Policy 2026 along with its implementation action plan and the Pakistan Information Security Framework 2026 (PISF 2026).At the outset, the cabinet unanimously passed a resolution commending Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their prudent and visionary leadership, enhancing Pakistan’s image globally and effectively safeguarding the country’s national interests. The cabinet also described the signing of the historic Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a significant diplomatic and defence development, terming it an important step towards further strengthening unity and solidarity among the Muslim Ummah.The cabinet was briefed that the National Housing Policy 2026 was prepared by a working group comprising national and international experts, following consultations with federal ministries, provincial governments and development partners. The policy aims to provide sustainable, safe and quality housing to all citizens. The cabinet directed that full compliance with zoning laws be ensured in housing projects and that vertical housing be prioritised for efficient land use. It also directed that energy-efficiency codes be made an integral part of the policy to ensure that new construction meets energy-efficient and environmentally friendly standards.
The cabinet was further briefed on progress under the Prime Minister’s “Apna Ghar” scheme. It was informed that various banks have approved loans worth Rs220 billion for applicants seeking to build or purchase homes, while more than Rs32 billion has already been disbursed to successful applicants.On a summary presented by the Board of Investment, the cabinet approved withdrawal of the notice for termination of the bilateral investment treaty signed between Pakistan and Sweden in 1981.The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication presented the draft Pakistan Information Security Framework 2026. The cabinet was informed that the framework had been prepared under the CERT Rules 2023 to establish comprehensive and unified basic information security standards and ensure centralised oversight. The cabinet approved PISF 2026 and termed it an important guiding document for strengthening cybersecurity, directing that its effective implementation be ensured within the stipulated timeframe.The Federal Cabinet also ratified the decision taken by the Cabinet Committee on Energy at its meeting held on July 28 regarding proposed amendments to the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023. The amendments seek to facilitate the upgrading of oil refineries to better meet the country’s energy requirements.The cabinet further ratified the decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) at its meetings held on July 27 and August 4. It also endorsed the decisions of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC) taken during its meeting held on July 24.