The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved a 15% raise in pensions under the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), effective from January 1, 2025. The hike, recommended by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, will be financed through EOBI’s own funds. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also directed the formation of a cabinet committee to overhaul EOBI’s structure and explore extending old-age benefits to informal workers, such as domestic helpers and farm laborers—a move aimed at securing rights for previously excluded groups.
Healthcare and Trade Policy Decisions
In a major relief for patients, the cabinet extended tax exemptions on imports of anti-cancer, cardiac, and life-saving drugs for five years, ensuring hospitals retain access to critical medicines. These drugs will be banned from open-market sales and require prior regulatory approval for import. Additionally, the Sea Carriage Shipping Documents Bill 2025 was approved to streamline maritime trade, following proposals from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
Performance-Based Governance Push
PM Shehbaz emphasized accountability and service delivery, announcing bi-monthly performance reviews for all ministries. He praised the Planning Ministry for effectively utilizing Rs1 trillion in development funds under the PSDP, signaling a focus on results-driven governance. “Ministries must deliver—those failing will answer to the public,” he asserted.
Legislative Endorsements
The cabinet also ratified decisions from recent Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases meetings, reinforcing its agenda for economic and administrative reforms. These measures collectively reflect the government’s push for social welfare, healthcare accessibility, and institutional efficiency.