ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism from the country, as the country’s security forces were working tirelessly and the day was not far when the menace would be completely eliminated.
Addressing the federal cabinet, the prime minister paid tribute to Pakistan Air Force Group Captain Asim Tariq, who was martyred the other day in Islamabad while intervening to stop an assault on a woman. He prayed for the elevation of the martyr’s ranks and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
He said the accused had been arrested and would be brought to justice in accordance with the law. He also lauded the sacrifices of the country’s security forces in the fight against terrorism, referring to the recent killing of 15 terrorists in Balochistan. He said the armed forces and law enforcement agencies were continuing operations day and night to restore lasting peace across the country.
The cabinet offered Fateha for the martyrs on the prime minister’s request.
Highlighting his recent foreign engagements, Shehbaz referred to his visit to Türkiye, where he attended a comprehensive business conference featuring presentations on the privatisation of Pakistan’s power distribution companies, renewable energy, transmission losses and investment opportunities in the mines and minerals sector.
He said a large number of Turkish investors and business leaders attended the conference and expressed keen interest in Pakistan’s economic potential. The prime minister said extensive preparations by both sides had helped present Pakistan’s investment prospects effectively, including opportunities in the maritime sector and other key areas.
He expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, adding that productive discussions were held with Turkish leadership on expanding collaboration in multiple sectors.
He also appreciated the support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said both countries remained committed to deepening their longstanding brotherly ties. He expressed optimism that Pakistan-Türkiye relations would continue to grow stronger in the days ahead through enhanced trade, investment and strategic cooperation.
During the meeting, the prime minister approved Pakistan’s first-ever four-year Haj Policy and Plan (2027-2030), directing authorities to ensure transparent, merit-based appointments of Haj assistants and third-party validation of both government and private Haj operations to improve services for pilgrims.
Shehbaz endorsed the long-term Haj framework aimed at improving planning, operational efficiency and facilities for intending pilgrims. The cabinet also commended Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and his team for what it described as the successful management of Haj arrangements this year, a PM Office news release said.
The cabinet was informed that, unlike previous annual policies, the new framework provides a four-year roadmap to facilitate long-term planning. Standard operating procedures and other regulations will be developed for its implementation, while amendments will be made whenever necessary to ensure compatibility with Saudi laws and regulations.
Under the approved policy, intending pilgrims will be able to register once for any Haj season up to 2030 instead of undergoing annual registration, enabling the preparation of a priority waiting list. A Shariah-compliant Haj savings scheme will also be introduced to help citizens plan financially for future pilgrimages.
The prime minister was informed that the entire Haj management system, including payments, complaints handling and monitoring, would be digitised to enhance transparency and efficiency.
The policy also provides separate quotas for government and private Haj schemes, introduces both long and short Haj packages, and includes mandatory pilgrim training, Takaful coverage and emergency response arrangements.
During the meeting, Shehbaz directed that the appointment of Hajj assistants be carried out through a transparent and strictly merit-based process. He also instructed authorities to ensure independent third-party validation of services provided under both the public and private Haj schemes.
The cabinet also approved a policy for outsourcing the services of the Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre (IHITC) and the Regional Blood Centre (RBC) in Islamabad to improve the delivery of quality healthcare services. The Ministry of National Health Services was directed to complete the outsourcing process in accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations.
The cabinet also reviewed the performance of Pakistan Railways during a briefing by Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi.
Members were informed that railway revenues had increased from Rs95 billion in 2024-25 to more than Rs115 billion in 2025-26, reflecting a growth of 24.19 percent.
The briefing highlighted an increase of over Rs8 billion in freight revenue, more than Rs7 billion in other income, over Rs6 billion in property and land revenue, while passenger revenue also registered a 3.37 percent increase. Improved railway operations and freight movement were cited as key contributors to the growth.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the cabinet appreciated the performance of Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and his team for improving the department’s financial and operational performance.
The federal cabinet also ratified the decisions taken during the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC) meeting held on May 19, 2026, and the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting held on July 2, 2026.
Meanwhile, chairing a high-level review meeting to discuss matters related to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda), the prime minister directed to facilitate the provision of loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to boost the country’s exports.
He emphasised the need to enhance the capacity of SMEs and instructed that special facilitation, awareness and access to easy credit should be provided to farmers for the processing of agricultural commodities and fruits.
He called for encouraging the commercial banks to design specialised financial products tailored specifically for the credit needs of SMEs, directing comprehensive assistance for SMEs during the preparation of feasibility studies and other stages.
The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to formulate a comprehensive strategy in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and commercial banks to streamline and improve SMEs’ access to credit.
Calling for immediate steps to eliminate hurdles in the growth of SMEs, he stressed that Smeda must actively support young entrepreneurs, including women, in establishing their own small and medium businesses.
Earlier, the meeting was briefed on various initiatives taken by Smeda to facilitate the sector. It was told that 700 SMEs participated in 16 international events this year to enhance their access to global markets and boost exports. Besides, business and financial management training was also provided to SMEs across 35 cities.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister Musadik Malik, SAPM Haroon Akhtar and senior officials. The chief secretaries of all four provinces, along with experts, joined the meeting via video link.
Separately, talking to a delegation of Polio Oversight Board, which called on him at the PM House, the prime minister said that the government was taking every possible measure to protect Pakistan’s children from the debilitating disease of polio and secure their future.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to achieving a polio-free future, he emphasised that polio eradication remained a key national priority and urged all stakeholders to further intensify their collective efforts.
The delegation included Mike McGovern, Chair of Rotary’s Polio Oversight Board; Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation; Dr Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director of WHO EMRO; and representatives from UNICEF, Gavi, and other partners supporting Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.
The prime minister welcomed the delegation and thanked all partners for their continued cooperation with the Government of Pakistan in the fight against polio.
He directed that special attention be given to polio hotspots in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and called for the adoption of an effective strategy to address the challenge.
The prime minister expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Unicef, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and all other partners for their valuable contributions to Pakistan’s polio eradication campaign.
He also commended the federal minister for national health services, the minister of state for health, the prime minister’s focal person on polio eradication, the national polio coordinator and all members of the government team for their dedicated efforts in combating polio.
The delegation praised the Government of Pakistan’s effective measures toward achieving a polio-free Pakistan and lauded the prime minister for the significant progress made.
The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq and other senior officials.
