Cabinet approves National Housing Policy 2026, mandates vertical construction and energy‑efficient codes, and endorses Pakistan Information Security Framework 2026.

The federal cabinet, meeting in Islamabad, approved the National Housing Policy 2026. The decision mandated compliance with zoning laws, prioritized vertical construction, and required new housing to meet energy‑efficient standards. The policy was drafted by a working group including national and international experts and followed consultations with federal ministries, provincial governments, and development partners. Members were briefed on the Apna Ghar scheme; banks have approved Rs220 billion in loans for home building or purchase, and over Rs32 billion has already been disbursed to successful applicants. In a separate action, the cabinet approved the withdrawal of the notice that had terminated the 1981 bilateral investment treaty between Pakistan and Sweden, based on a summary from the Board of Investment. The Ministry of Information Technology presented the draft Pakistan Information Security Framework 2026. The framework, prepared under CERT Rules 2023, aims to establish unified baseline information‑security standards and central oversight. The cabinet also ratified decisions regarding amendments to the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023 and resolutions from the Economic Coordination Committee and the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases.