ECC approves Rs52 billion equity for DISCOs, Rs7 billion grant for Pakistan Railways

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved a series of Technical Supplementary Grants (TSGs) and sectoral support measures, including Rs52 billion for the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G) as government equity in DISCOs.

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

On a summary moved by the Power Division, the ECC approved the Rs52 billion release to CPPA-G as government equity in DISCOs. It also approved re-appropriation of Rs97.649 billion from K-Electric to Inter-DISCO Tariff Differential Subsidy, along with adjustment of TESCO tariff differential subsidy arrears claims amounting to Rs44.198 billion.

The committee also approved an enhancement in the grant-in-aid for Pakistan Railways by Rs7 billion on a summary submitted by the Ministry of Railways.

The Ministry of Defence secured approval for two Technical Supplementary Grants. These included Rs1.289 billion for expenses related to Independence Day and Marka-e-Haq Celebrations 2025, and Rs2 billion for the Marka-e-Haq Monument Project, Islamabad, to be executed by the Frontier Works Organization.

The ECC approved two summaries of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, including Rs4.5 billion for the completion of Phase-II of the Pakistan Asan Khidmat Centre, Islamabad. It also approved re-appropriation of savings worth Rs 911.2 million to the Smart Islamabad Initiative.

The committee approved Rs600 million as the federal government’s share for the installation of a Vessel Monitoring System in fishing boats across Pakistan on a summary submitted by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

On a summary from the Ministry of Industries and Production, the ECC authorised release of salary payments for Pakistan Steel Mills from the already approved budgetary allocation for FY2025-26 to ensure continuity of employee-related payments.

The Petroleum Division secured approval for extension in the validity of sovereign guarantees against the Rs50 billion financing facility obtained by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited from Meezan Bank Limited up to June 30, 2027.

The ECC also approved Rs250 million for Frontier Corps KP (North) to meet operational requirements and strengthen security capabilities.

Two additional summaries from the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control were also approved. These included Rs193.2 million for the Federal Investigation Agency to meet employee-related expenses, and Rs4.2 billion for payment of pending dues to families of Shuhada personnel of Civil Armed Forces.

The committee directed that the Rs4.2 billion requirement be met from available savings during the current financial year, while the remaining requirement would be catered for in the next financial year.

The Finance Division received approval for Rs312.3 million for the implementation of the incentive package for PAS and PSP officers serving in Balochistan. The ECC also approved the discontinuation of the Telegraphic Transfer Charges Incentive Scheme from July 1, 2026.

The Ministry of Housing and Works obtained approval for the transfer of Rs793.7 million relating to the PSDP scheme for District Shangla to support the timely implementation of development initiatives.

The Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission was granted Rs8.216 million to meet employee-related expenditure requirements.

The ECC also approved Rs22.4 million for the Public Private Partnership Authority on a summary submitted by the Privatisation Division to ensure continuity of its operations and administrative obligations.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Petroleum Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik, Federal Minister for Investment Mr. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Minister for Commerce Mr. Jam Kamal Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan, federal secretaries and senior officials from relevant ministries, divisions and regulatory authorities.