• 70pc share for the government, 30pc for private operators assigned in a new HAJ policy
• The AI policy aims to train 1M professionals for 2030
• New construction codes for all new structures with more than 4 floors; Mandatory rainwater systems for residential, commercial and industrial structures
• Ex-Molina sugar rate set at RS165/Kg, RS173/Kg Retail Price
Islamabad: The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday made several key decisions, including the approval of the HAJ policy by 2026, the National Artificial Intelligence Policy (AI) and the Green Construction Code of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set the ex-molin rate and the retail price of sugar in RS165 and RS173 per kilogram, respectively, in the midst of the national scarcity of the merchandise.
Chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz, the cabinet approved Haj’s policy for next year, assigning a 70 percent quota to the government and 30pc to private operators. In particular, private companies that did not fulfill their responsibilities in the previous year must now accommodate the people affected in 2026.
The Meeting Approved Third-Park Validation for All Haj Operations, Real-Time Monitoring of Payments and Application Proceses Under Private Operators, Mandatory Minimum of 2,000 Pilgrims Per Private Company, 1,000 Seats Reserve for Hardship Cases, Enhanced Digital Tools Tools Tools Including Pak Haj Mobile Mobile APP, Digital Wristbands, and Mobile Sims for Better Tracking and Service Delivery, Transparent Selection of Assistants Through competitive testing, Emergency Compensation Mechanisms and Upgraded Lodging and Food Preparations.
National Policy of AI
In another important decision, the cabinet unanimously approved the national policy of AI 2025 to create a complete ai ecosystem in Pakistan.
Policies aims to democratize access to artificial intelligence, improve public services and open new routes of employment and innovation.
“Our young people are the greatest asset in Pakistan. Providing them with education, skills and equal opportunities in AI is a priority,” said Prime Minister.
The AI policy describes to train 1 million AI professionals by 2030, establish an AI innovation fund and an AI risk fund to boost private sector participation, create 50,000 civic projects promoted by AI and 1,000 local products of AI in the next five years, distribute 3,000 annual scholarships of AI.
In addition, its objective is to facilitate 1,000 research projects, promote the inclusion of women and people with a capacity of different ease through accessible education and financing, strengthen national cyber security and security protocols, promote global associations and compliance with international AI regulations.
However, an AI council and a master plan and a comprehensive action matrix will supervise the implementation of the policy.
The cabinet also ratified the decisions taken in the previous sessions of the Cabinet Privatization Committee and the Legislative Business Committee, held on July 8, 17 and 25, respectively.
Construction codes
The Federal Cabinet also approved the Green Construction Code of Pakistan (GBCP) and the rainwater collection provisions for the Pakistan Construction Code.
These new national standards will guarantee green buildings, efficient in energy and water conservatives.
The GBCP applies to all new buildings, with four more floors, emphasizing the conservation of energy, solar design, green roofs, energy efficiency lighting and integration of renewable energy sources, etc.
It has the use of ecological materials and modeling of buildings information (BIM) for efficient buildings, significantly reducing energy consumption and improving internal environmental quality.
The rainwater collection code is applied to residential, commercial and industrial buildings, demanding systems to collect, filter and reuse rainwater.
This initiative aims to address Pakistan’s water scarcity promoting groundwater recharge and reducing the dependence on municipal water supplies.
The codes, now approved as the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), the Statutes, are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
They represent a fundamental movement towards a sustainable and climate resistant infrastructure and will be very beneficial for a more ecological Pakistan, efficient in energy and more climate resistant, improving a better quality of life for Pakistani citizens and the planet.
Sugar price
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned that any violation of sugar agreed prices will lead to severe action, since no one would be allowed to exploit the public economically.
The Prime Minister, presiding over a meeting, underlined the government’s commitment to guarantee fair prices and protect citizens from economic exploitation.
The Prime Minister issued strict directives for the application of the agreement reached between the Association of Moletas Sugar de Pakistan (PSMA) and the Government.
According to the agreement, the former sugar mill price is established in RS165 per kilogram, while the retail price must not exceed RS173 per kilogram.
The officials also informed the Prime Minister about the ongoing operations against those involved in the creation of an artificial sugar shortage.
The Government reiterated its resolution to continue with repression of hoarders and manipulators in the market.
Posted in Dawn, July 31, 2025
