ECC approves Rs40.26 billion in supplementary grants, development funds

The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet on Friday approved supplementary grants and development fund placements totalling Rs40.258 billion for defence, security, infrastructure, telecommunications and public-sector requirements, alongside several policy and financing measures.

The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance.

The committee approved a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs7.026 billion for the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme.

It also cleared Rs 10.15 billion for the Pakistan Navy’s Hangor Project under the Rafale Aircraft and Force Development Package-2030.

Seven proposals submitted by the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control involving a combined Rs4.709 billion were also approved. 

These included Rs692.9 million for security arrangements during the Islamabad Peace Talks and Rs241 million for compensation-related expenditure following the suicide bombing at Imam Bargah Khadijah-tul-Kubra in Taralai, Islamabad.

The committee allocated Rs528 million for the operational requirements of the Pakistan Land Ports Authority and Rs800 million for the procurement of Fast Patrol Boats and related infrastructure for the Pakistan Coast Guards.

A further Rs1.884 billion was approved for the Expansion of Safe City, Islamabad project, Rs150 million for the operational requirements of the National Counter Terrorism Authority and Rs413.9 million for security charges linked to the Reko Diq Project.

The ECC separately approved Rs30 million for the extension and upgradation of Jamia Masjid at Parliament House, Islamabad, under another proposal submitted by the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control.

Pakistan Television Corporation was allocated Rs733 million to meet its salary requirements for June 2026.

The Special Communication Organization received Rs183.5 million for the installation of telecommunications sites and telephone towers in District Shigar, Gilgit-Baltistan.

The committee also approved a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs119.9 million for the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to meet employee-related expenditure arising from revised salaries and allowances of parliamentary secretaries during fiscal year 2025-26.

Two proposals submitted by the Ministry of Housing and Works were approved for the placement of development funds in the current account of Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited.

These included Rs8.759 billion for the Karachi and Hyderabad Urban Infrastructure Development Packages and Rs2.84 billion under the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The ECC approved Rs1.3 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme project titled Modernization and Up-gradation of Pakistan Mint (Phase-II-A).

It also cleared Rs4.377 billion for the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan to meet current expenditure requirements and finance priority initiatives in the region.

A Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs29.9 million was approved for the Economic Affairs Division to meet rental payment obligations for residential accommodation provided to eligible officers and officials.

The committee also approved the policy governing the grant of budget honorariums.

The Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Law and Justice and Office of the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues were added to the list of eligible organisations in recognition of their contribution to the federal budget preparation process.

The ECC approved the fiscal year 2025-26 budget estimates of Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan, comprising regular expenditure of Rs914.7 million and projected revenue receipts of Rs918 million.

A proposal submitted by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs regarding the operational continuity of Engro Vopak Terminal Limited was also approved.

The committee cleared two proposals from the Petroleum Division, including the continuation of syndicated running finance facilities for Pakistan State Oil with a ceiling of Rs100 billion.

It also approved a revised framework related to the Deed of Settlement with Cnergyico PK Limited under the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023.

The revised framework is intended to resolve the Late Payment Surcharge issue and support refinery investment and upgradation.