ECC defers Rs455m election funding request, clears multiple supplementary grants

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Tuesday deferred a request by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the release of Rs455 million for local government elections, directing the commission to resubmit the proposal with clearer expenditure details.

The ECC meeting, held at the Finance Division, was chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb.

The committee reviewed an ECP summary seeking a technical supplementary grant of Rs455 million to conduct local government elections during the ongoing fiscal year 2025–26 in Punjab, Islamabad Capital Territory, Sindh and Balochistan. However, the ECC asked for greater clarity on the nature and proposed utilisation of funds before taking a final decision.

Meanwhile, the ECC approved several technical supplementary grants across different ministries. On two summaries submitted by the Interior and Narcotics Division, the committee cleared a Rs100 million grant for the execution of Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP) schemes through the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The committee also approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs8.79 million, within the sanctioned budget, for the procurement of spare parts and routine maintenance of a helicopter operated by Frontier Corps Balochistan during the current fiscal year.

In the education sector, the ECC approved a Rs1 billion technical supplementary grant proposed by the Federal Education and Professional Training Division to ensure continuity of existing scholarship programmes and to launch new initiatives, including schemes aimed at addressing out-of-school children.

Additionally, the ECC approved a proposal from the Revenue Division for the allocation of two consignments of confiscated relief goods, including tarpaulin tents and winter clothing, to the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. The items, seized by Pakistan Customs and vested as state property, will be utilised by the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority for emergency relief operations in disaster-affected areas.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain and Sardar Awais Ahmad Leghari, who joined virtually, along with senior officials from relevant ministries and divisions.