Pakistan’s federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, convened on Tuesday at the Prime Minister’s House to approve eight significant agenda items. However, the much-anticipated approval of the Hajj Policy for 2025 was once again postponed due to the absence of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Chaudhry Salik.
Among the notable approvals was the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill 2024, which is set to be forwarded to the Cabinet Committee for Legislative Cases. This bill, applicable solely to the Islamabad Capital Territory, aims to establish a robust institutional framework to combat domestic violence. The cabinet was informed that the legislation would not only help curb domestic violence but also provide relief to victims while ensuring appropriate punishment for offenders.
In another decision, the cabinet endorsed the appointments of three private members—Lt Gen (retd) Moazzam Ijaz, Engineer Faheem Iqbal, and Asim Shehryar Hussain—to the Board of Management of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission, based on recommendations from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.
Furthermore, the cabinet designated the Ministry of Law and Justice as the Transmitting and Receiving Agency under the Claims for Maintenance (Recovery Abroad) Ordinance of 1959, following the ministry’s recommendations. This decision aligns with Pakistan’s accession to the 1956 Convention on the Recovery Abroad, which the country joined in 1959.
Additional approvals included the appointments to the National Council for Tibb’s examining body, with Dr. Shafia Arshad appointed as Chairperson. Other members of the council include Dr. Rizwan Asif and Dr. Attaullah, among others. The cabinet also undertook the restructuring of the Pharmacy Council of Pakistan.
Addressing the rising number of polio cases in the country, Prime Minister Sharif expressed grave concern and called for a detailed report. He directed the formation of an emergency plan to effectively tackle this pressing public health issue.
