ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Housing and Works on Tuesday said the newly-approved housing policy will be helpful in addressing the diverse and evolving challenges of housing and urban development and to provide a coordinated, inclusive and sustainable approach for the future.
“The Federal Cabinet in its last meeting has approved the National Housing Policy 2026, marking a major milestone for Pakistan’s housing and urban development sector. The approval comes after nearly 25 years, as the country’s previous National Housing Policy was approved in 2001,” says a press release issued by the ministry.
It said that the approval of the National Housing Policy fulfills a longstanding need for a comprehensive national framework to provide clear strategic direction for the development of the housing and urban planning sectors.
The policy has been formulated to address the diverse and evolving challenges of housing and urban development.
Formulated after 25 years, policy sets out nine clear strategic themes
“The overarching vision of the policy is to promote adequate, affordable and sustainable housing for all, while ensuring improved access to housing opportunities, basic amenities and supporting infrastructure,” it said.
The housing policy sets out nine clear strategic themes, covering the key dimensions of the housing and urban development sector that also include Land for Housing, Housing Finance, Construction Services, Technology and Building Materials, Development of Intermediate and Secondary Towns, Slums/Kutchi Abadis and Squatter Settlements, Affordable Housing, Low-Income, Low-Cost and Rural Housing and Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing.
“The policy provides a comprehensive framework covering land availability, housing finance, construction and technology, balanced urban development, low-income and rural housing, institutional and legal reforms, as well as climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable housing,” it said.
Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and the secretary Ministry of Housing and Works appreciated the Policy & Planning Wing of the ministry for its dedicated efforts in preparing the policy document.
They said efforts had been made to take all major stakeholders on board during the policy formulation process.
The minister said that the approval of the policy was a significant achievement and a historic milestone for the ministry, particularly as Pakistan had been without an updated national housing policy for almost a quarter of a century.
He added that the policy would provide a clear strategic direction for addressing the country’s housing deficit and emerging urban development challenges.
Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2026
