Islamabad: The Federal Cabinet has approved the National Housing Policy 2026, marking a significant milestone for Pakistan’s housing and urban development sector. This approval ends a 25-year gap since the last National Housing Policy was adopted in 2001.

According to Press Information Department, the approval fulfills the need for a comprehensive national framework aimed at providing strategic direction for the housing and urban planning sectors. The policy addresses the evolving challenges of housing and urban development and outlines a coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable approach for the future.

The policy’s vision is to ensure adequate, affordable, and sustainable housing for all while improving access to basic amenities and supporting infrastructure. It establishes nine strategic themes encompassing key dimensions of the sector, including land for housing, finance, construction services, technology, urban development, and housing for low-income and rural populations.

The comprehensive framework targets areas such as land availability, housing finance, construction technology, balanced urban development, and environmentally sustainable housing. Institutional and legal reforms are also part of the policy.

Federal Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and the Secretary of the Ministry congratulated the Policy & Planning Wing for its efforts in preparing the policy document. They emphasized the involvement of major stakeholders during the formulation process.

The Federal Minister described the policy’s approval as a historic milestone for the Ministry, noting its importance in addressing the housing deficit and urban development challenges after a quarter-century without an updated policy. The draft policy is available on the Ministry of Housing and Works’ website for public reference.