ISLAMABAD: Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved eight key agenda items in meeting at Prime Minister’s House.

However, approval of Hajj Policy 2025 was postponed once again due to absence of Minister for Religious Affairs, Chaudhry Salik. One of major approvals was for Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill 2024, which was sent to Cabinet Committee for Legislative Cases. Bill, limited to Islamabad Capital Territory, aims to establish an institutional framework for prevention of domestic violence. “Bill will not only help in curbing domestic violence but also provide relief to victims and ensure appropriate punishment for offenders,” Cabinet was informed.

Cabinet approved appointments of three private members, Lt Gen (retd) Moazzam Ijaz, Engineer Faheem Iqbal and Asim Shehryar Hussain, to Board of Management of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission, based on recommendations from Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

Cabinet designated Ministry of Law and Justice as Transmitting and Receiving Agency under Claims for Maintenance (Recovery Abroad) Ordinance 1959, following Ministry’s recommendations. Further approvals included appointments to National Council for Tibb’s examining body, with Dr Shafia Arshad as Chairperson.

Other members include Dr Rizwan Asif and Dr Attaullah, among others. Additionally, Pharmacy Council of Pakistan was restructured. Expressing concern over rising number of polio cases, Prime Minister Sharif demanded detailed report and directed formation of an emergency plan to tackle issue.