ECC approves Rs9.56bn in grants for interior projects, extends gas supply to urea plants

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Tuesday approved more than Rs9.56 billion in Technical Supplementary Grants (TSGs) for multiple Interior Ministry-related projects and extended gas supply arrangements for urea manufacturing plants to ensure continued fertilizer availability in the country.

The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb at the Finance Division and attended by federal ministers and senior officials from relevant ministries.

The committee approved a Rs2.19 billion TSG for the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) under the TDP-ERP/KP-CCSDP project to continue operations linked to the World Bank-financed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Citizen-Centered Service Delivery Project.

An additional Rs5 billion was sanctioned for the Directorate General Immigration and Passports to clear outstanding liabilities related to passport booklet printing and ensure uninterrupted passport services.

The ECC also approved Rs2.12 billion in TSGs for three Interior Division development projects, including the construction of a model prison at H-16 Islamabad, the National Police Hospital project, and the Foreign National Security Cell dashboard and allied facilities.

A further Rs240.5 million was approved for the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) for repair of helicopters required for operational readiness.

Separately, the committee approved a summary from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for the continuation of gas supply to SNGPL-based urea plants, including Fatima Fertilizer and Agritech, extending arrangements until June 30, 2026.

The government said the decision was aimed at maintaining fertilizer availability and ensuring stability in the domestic urea market.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Minister for Education and Professional Training Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, the planning minister, federal secretaries and senior officials from relevant divisions and regulatory bodies.