PM Shehbaz Sharif Prioritizes Affordable Housing and Sector Reforms

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared affordable housing for low-income families a top government priority during a high-level meeting on housing sector reforms. Addressing the challenges posed by Pakistan's growing population and rapid, unplanned urban expansion, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to protect agricultural land through strategic planning. Key directives included digitizing and automating housing processes to enhance transparency and governance. The government aims to attract overseas investors and boost market confidence by establishing an effective regulatory framework. Proposed measures include mandatory registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan for housing developers, promoting vertical expansion in major cities, and implementing master town planning frameworks. Officials also discussed creating a one-window system to safeguard the interests of developers and buyers. The Prime Minister instructed authorities to consult with provincial governments before finalizing these recommendations. The meeting, attended by senior cabinet members from economic, housing, and finance departments, focused on encouraging private sector participation and improving public services to address the critical housing shortage.