ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior has requested Rs2.70 billion for the arrangements and beautification of Islamabad in preparation for the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held last month. This was disclosed by the Finance Division on Monday.
The two-day meeting, which included participation from 12 countries such as China, India, Iran, and Russia, also featured bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and several visiting delegations.
In a summary presented to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), the Interior Ministry outlined the expenditures related to the summit. Following in-depth discussions, the ECC instructed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Ministry of Interior to conduct a third-party verification of costs before resubmitting the summary for further consideration.
Additionally, the ministry sought a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) of Rs650.35 million for costs associated with the summit, repairs to Safe City cameras, and maintaining law and order in Islamabad. The ECC directed the ministry to reallocate funds from its budget for FY 2024-25 for these expenses.
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MoIB) also presented a summary requesting a TSG of Rs95.822 million to cover outstanding dues related to the SCO summit. The ECC similarly advised reallocation of funds from the MoIB’s budget, with a promise of supplementary funding if necessary at the end of the fiscal year.
In another matter, the ECC approved the Circular Debt Management Plan for FY 2024-25 submitted by the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), aimed at reducing liabilities in the power sector and enhancing financial sustainability.
The meeting also addressed an additional request from the MoIB for a TSG of Rs536.1 million to support essential digital initiatives, with similar reallocation instructions issued as before.
The Ministry of Industries and Production raised concerns regarding the export of sugar from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The ECC allowed an additional export of 500,000 metric tons of surplus sugar, confirming that local consumption needs would continue to be met through supplies from surplus-producing provinces like Punjab and Sindh.
Lastly, the ECC approved a transfer of Rs151.787 million from the Ministry of Housing and Works to the Supreme Court of Pakistan for building repairs and maintenance, and authorized the signing of a Sale Purchase Agreement (SPA) for POL products between Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and SOCAR Azerbaijan.
