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–Key policy measures across multiple sectors
Aftab Maken
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, on Thursday approved a series of Technical Supplementary Grants (TSGs) and policy decisions involving more than Rs. 50 billion across development, security, energy, and administrative sectors.
According to an official statement, the ECC cleared Rs. 7.026 billion under the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP), aimed at ensuring continuity of ongoing development projects and avoiding cost overruns.
In a major defence-related approval, the committee sanctioned Rs. 10.15 billion for the Pakistan Navy’s Hangor Project under the RAFDP-2030 framework.
The interior ministry secured multiple approvals, including Rs. 692.9 million for Islamabad Peace Talks security arrangements, Rs. 241 million as compensation for the Taralai Imam Bargah suicide blast, Rs. 528 million for the Pakistan Land Ports Authority, and Rs. 800 million for fast patrol boats and infrastructure for the Pakistan Coast Guards. Additional allocations included Rs. 1.883 billion for the expansion of Safe City Islamabad, Rs. 150 million for NACTA operations, and Rs. 413.9 million for security expenses linked to the Reko Diq project. The ECC also appreciated the successful conduct of the Islamabad Peace Talks.
The committee approved Rs. 733 million for Pakistan Television Corporation to meet June salary requirements, along with Rs. 183.5 million for the Special Communication Organization to improve telecom connectivity in Shigar, Gilgit-Baltistan.
Other approvals included Rs. 119.9 million for parliamentary affairs to cover revised salaries of parliamentary secretaries, and large transfers to Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited for urban infrastructure projects in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, totaling over Rs. 11.5 billion.
The ECC also cleared Rs. 1.3 billion for the modernization of Pakistan Mint and Rs. 4.377 billion in support of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan for current expenditures and development initiatives.
Policy decisions included approval of budget honorarium grants for additional federal institutions, as well as budget estimates for IPO-Pakistan for FY 2025-26, projecting expenditures of Rs. 914.7 million against revenue receipts of Rs. 918 million.
In the energy sector, the committee approved continuation of a Rs. 100 billion syndicated running finance facility for Pakistan State Oil and endorsed a revised settlement framework under the Petroleum Refining Policy 2023 to resolve long-standing payment issues with Cnergyico PK Limited.
The ECC further approved Rs. 29.9 million for residential accommodation rental obligations and Rs. 30 million for the expansion of Jamia Masjid at the Parliament House.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers from key portfolios including petroleum, planning, commerce, education, power, and food security, along with senior officials from relevant ministries and departments.
