Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s armed forces have taught the enemy a lesson that it will remember for a long time.
Addressing ceremonies held in connection with “Marka-e-Haq,” the prime minister said the entire nation stood united with the armed forces during difficult times.
He said May 28 was approaching, marking the day Pakistan became a nuclear power, and paid tribute to all national heroes who contributed to making the country a nuclear state.
The prime minister said former premier Nawaz Sharif played a key role in completing Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
Shehbaz Sharif said the region had witnessed heightened tensions over the past one and a half months, while Pakistan’s economy, like those of other countries, was also affected despite a temporary ceasefire.
He reiterated that Pakistan’s national stance is clear that nuclear assets are not meant for aggression but to make the country’s defence invincible and ensure national security.
PM STRESSES ON REFORMS IN HOUSING SECTOR
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that reforms in the housing sector have become an urgent need in view of the country’s growing population.
The prime minister was speaking after presiding over a review meeting on reforms in the housing sector here on Thursday.
He said that providing housing facilities for low-income groups, promoting affordable housing schemes — including encouraging private sector participation — and improving public amenities are among the government’s top priorities.
He said the growing population and unplanned urban expansion were increasing pressure on agricultural land, requiring a comprehensive strategy to address the issue. He added that all matters related to the housing sector would be digitized and automated to promote transparency.
Prime Minister Shehbaz stated that bringing the housing sector under a proper regulatory framework was essential to attract overseas investors.
Earlier, the participants were given a briefing on reforms in the housing sector. It was stated that the regulatory framework would be simplified to facilitate credible investors and developers and to promote transparency in the housing industry.
Participants of the meeting were informed that registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan should be made mandatory for all entities operating in the housing and development sector. A strategy would also be developed to prevent unplanned urban sprawl in cities.
It was noted that the government would encourage the construction of high-rise buildings and vertical expansion in major cities. Proposals for comprehensive master town planning for large urban centers were also discussed, while a one-window operation was recommended to safeguard the rights of developers, buyers, and other stakeholders.
Prime Minister Shehbaz directed authorities to hold consultations with provincial governments on the proposals presented during the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Economic Affairs Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Housing and Works Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, NAB Chairman Nazir Ahmed Butt, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, and other senior government officials.
