ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Tuesday approved key decisions related to the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and reiterated the government’s firm commitment to transparency, political dialogue and economic reform.
A special meeting of the federal cabinet was held here at the PM House, during which the forum formally endorsed the decisions taken earlier in the day by the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation regarding the PIA, a PM Office news release said.
The prime minister appreciated the efforts of relevant ministries and cabinet members in advancing the privatisation agenda, particularly commending the roles of deputy prime minister, defence minister and finance minister.
In addition to PIA-related decisions, the federal cabinet approved several important policy and legislative measures. On the recommendation of Petroleum Division, the cabinet approved the extension of Off-Grid Power Plants Levy Act 2025 to include the sale of gas to captive power plants by third parties.
To modernise public procurement processes, the cabinet granted principled approval for amendments to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Ordinance 2002, aimed at aligning public tendering and procurement procedures with contemporary requirements.
The cabinet also approved the repeal of National University for Security Sciences Islamabad Bill 2025 and constituted a committee to ensure effective consultation on private members’ bills and other legislation in the National Assembly.
Further, the cabinet approved the National Cannabis Control and Regulatory Policy 2025, which aims to promote the use of plant-based resources in pharmaceutical and textile sectors under a regulated framework.
On the recommendation of the Ministry of Interior, the cabinet approved a visa clearance system designed to facilitate Pakistani citizens travelling abroad by providing a transparent and secure mechanism for visa acquisition.
The federal cabinet also ratified the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases in its meetings held on October 20, November 5 and November 21, 2025, as well as the decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee taken in its meeting on December 18, 2025.
The prime minister reaffirmed, in conclusion, that national interest would remain the guiding principle of the government’s decisions, particularly in matters concerning economic reform, political stability and public confidence.
