Land zoning system in the works

TALHA BIN HABIB | Published: September 09, 2025 22:16:55

The government has initiated a move to introduce land zoning system aiming to ensure proper utilisation of land in the country.
As part of the move, an ordinance will be passed soon, according to the Ministry of Land (MoL).
"We (the government) are in the process of enacting a law (ordinance) to protect agricultural land," a high official of the ministry told the FE.
He said that the MoL along with other ministries have been working now to finalise the draft ordinance aiming to curb the decline in arable land due to unplanned urbanisation and illegal occupations. He said that they (MoL and other ministries) were working to finalise the draft ' Land Zoning and Agriculture Land Protection Ordinance -2025' for optimum utilisation of land considering its scarcity in the country.
He added that through the ordinance the MoL will go for land zoning.
He said that the proposed legislation (ordinance), which has been in development for years under various titles, seeking to create a comprehensive legal framework will safeguard agricultural land with a view to ensuring food security in the country. He also said that the zoning will help protect agricultural land that will also ensure food security.
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