The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, convened to discuss the approval of the National Registration and Biometric Policy Framework and the ongoing medicine shortage in Kurram.
The cabinet took serious notice of the lack of essential medicines in Kurram district. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the federal government to coordinate with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to address the issue immediately. “The shortage of medicines in Kurram must be resolved without delay,” he emphasized.
National Registration and Biometric Policy Framework
The cabinet also granted in-principle approval to the National Registration and Biometric Policy Framework. Under the initiative “One Nation, One Identity”, the framework aims to create a unique ID for every Pakistani by consolidating citizens' data, including:
- Passports
- National identity cards
- Vaccination records
- Court and police records
The policy will enable integration and accessibility across major databases, including NADRA, the State Bank of Pakistan, SECP, and FBR.
The federal cabinet also approved the reorganization of boards of various institutions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his condolences over several recent tragic events, including the martyrdom of a policeman during a polio eradication campaign in Karak and the deaths of five Pakistani migrants in a boat accident near Greece.
He said 40 people were rescued in the boat accident, adding that unfortunately, a similar incident had taken place in July 2023 in which about 240 Pakistanis had died. "I am calling a meeting of the relevant ministers and secretaries in a few days. We will take tough decisions in light of the 2023 incident," he added.
Shehbaz also condoled the death of PML-N leader Siddiqul Farooq. "Siddiqul Farooq was a beloved and loyal companion after Nawaz Sharif," he added.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating polio, noting that Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries yet to achieve this milestone.
Additionally, the PM welcomed the State Bank of Pakistan’s decision to reduce interest rates by 2%. He termed it a positive development for traders, investors, and industrialists, predicting increased economic growth and investment opportunities.
The cabinet meeting concluded with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressing optimism for Pakistan’s economic recovery. He announced plans to hold a special ceremony later this month to promote investment and drive economic growth. "If we encourage investment in the country, only then will foreign investment come," he concluded.
