The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet on Tuesday considered a number of proposals and summaries submitted by various ministries and divisions, including requests for the grant of technical supplementary grants (TSGs), along with other important policy and administrative matters.
Chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the meeting reviewed two separate summaries submitted by the Defense Division, approving a TSG of Rs. 2 billion for the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Program in Punjab during the current financial year. It also approved a TSG of Rs. 5.081 billion for defense services, covering capacity enhancement, infrastructure development, community engagement and cyber security. It was decided to release this sum in a phased manner with the expenditure to be incorporated into the regular defense budget from the next financial year.
The ECC further considered and approved a TSG of Rs. 322.87 million for the provision of 15 coasters for the Directorate General of Special Education to facilitate the transport of special children enrolled at the Autism Centre of Excellence in Islamabad. The Center aims to cater to at least 300 Autism Spectrum Disorder children by providing them with a safe and enabling learning environment.
On a summary submitted by the Information Technology and Telecommunication Division, the ECC approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs. 800 million for the establishment of the Asan Khidmat Center in Islamabad as a flagship, citizen-centric public service delivery initiative. On another summary from the same Division, the ECC approved a TSG of Rs. 3.7 billion for Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) projects aimed at strengthening digital connectivity, enhancing I.T. infrastructure, promoting e-governance and supporting the development of the national ICT ecosystem, with a direction that the funds be appropriately deployed on the designated projects.
The ECC also took up a proposal regarding the establishment of Digital Enforcement Stations by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) along the Indus, Hub and Balochistan rivers. Against the proposed technical supplementary grant of Rs. 10 billion, the Committee approved an allocation of Rs. 3 billion for the third quarter, with the remaining amount to be allocated in the fourth quarter.
A summary submitted by the Petroleum Division on the future of the Asia Petroleum Limited (APL) Pipeline was also considered, with the ECC constituting a committee comprising representatives of the Petroleum Division, Finance Division, Law and Justice Division, Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and Pakistan State Oil (PSO) under the ambit of the National Task Force-Implementation of Reforms (Power Division). The committee will negotiate the terms of the Implementation Agreement, including the Guarantee Agreement and Letter of Agreement with APL, and will also decide on the question of ownership of fuel and the alternative use of the pipeline by Jan. 31.
Near the conclusion of the meeting, the ECC considered a request from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for a TSG of Rs. 1 billion for its Film and Drama Finance Fund established under the National Film and Broadcasting Policy, 2018. The initiative aims to strengthen Pakistan’s film and drama industry and support the country’s strategic narrative at national and international forums through responsible, high-quality screen content. The ECC approved an allocation of Rs. 700 million, with the direction that the Ministry submit a six-monthly report to the Committee on the utilization of funds against clearly defined key performance indicators, ensuring competitive, transparent spending through the involvement of top-quality professional content producers from the industry.