Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday called for urgent reforms in the country’s housing sector, warning that unplanned urban expansion and rapid population growth are threatening agricultural land and investor confidence. Chairing a high-level review meeting on housing sector reforms, he emphasized the need for a long-term, comprehensive strategy to address the growing pressures on the country’s urban and rural landscape. “The provision of affordable housing for low-income groups, promotion of low-cost housing schemes, encouragement of private sector participation, and improvement of public amenities are among the government’s top priorities,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said. READ MORE: PM launches 5-year housing programme Sharif directed authorities to digitize and automate all housing-related processes to enhance transparency and strengthen governance. He stressed that bringing the sector under a proper regulatory framework was critical to attracting overseas investment and ensuring sustainable growth in real estate and development. In a detailed briefing to the meeting, officials presented a series of proposals aimed at reforming the housing sector. The plans included simplifying regulatory procedures to facilitate credible investors and developers and promoting transparency in housing projects. Participants were informed that registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) would be made mandatory for all entities operating in the housing and development sector. The officials also proposed strategies to curb unplanned urban sprawl, including encouraging vertical expansion and the construction of high-rise buildings in major cities to optimize land use. Proposals for master town planning in large urban centres were discussed, along with the establishment of a one-window system to safeguard the rights of developers, buyers, and other stakeholders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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