The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Federal Cabinet approved the Petroleum Division’s proposal to amend the existing gas allocation priority by placing gas use for industrial processes alongside domestic and commercial sectors as a top priority.
This amendment facilitates industries using gas in their processes by including them in the top priority category. Meanwhile, gas use for industries relying on captive power has been relegated to a lower priority, along with the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sector.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the ECC meeting, which reviewed and approved several key proposals from various ministries and divisions.
The ECC considered a proposal from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFSR) to allocate Rs238.42 million to clear arrears from the 2015-16 wheat subsidy schemes.
The committee directed the concerned ministry to arrange funds through available budgetary resources to settle these long-pending claims, taking into account the recommendations of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue.
Additionally, the ECC reviewed a summary from the Ministry of Communications concerning the “Kalkatak-Chitral 48 km (Section-III) Road Project (N-45) – Procurement of Civil Works” and authorised the Ministry of Communications and the National Highway Authority to proceed with procurement in accordance with Public Procurement Rule-5.
Regarding a proposal from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for a loan of Rs656 million to the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) to cover employee salaries and pensions, the ECC deliberated on the need for the loan and decided that the PCCC should be considered for wind-up. It was directed that a case be submitted to the Cabinet Committee for Rightsizing.
The ECC also reviewed a summary from the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) regarding the gas supply priority order.
The committee approved the proposal to place industrial processes as the first priority for gas allocation alongside domestic and commercial use, while industries using captive power were moved to a lower priority, along with the CNG sector.
The ECC meeting was attended by Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Power Awais Leghari, Minister for Petroleum Mussadiq Malik, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Privatisation Aleem Khan, Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, federal secretaries, and senior officials from relevant ministries and divisions.
