The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet has approved technical supplementary grants totaling approximately Rs 15.6 billion for various ministries and divisions to support development, defence, and digital initiatives. The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb and considered proposals from multiple ministries, including grants, policy matters, and administrative requests.
For defence-related initiatives, the ECC approved Rs 5.081 billion for capacity enhancement, infrastructure development, community engagement, and cybersecurity, with funds to be released in phases. A separate Rs 2 billion grant was approved for the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme in Punjab, with recurring expenditures to be incorporated into the regular defence budget in the next fiscal year.
The committee also approved Rs 322.87 million for the provision of 15 coasters for the Directorate General of Special Education to support transport for children enrolled at the Autism Centre of Excellence in Islamabad. The centre will provide a safe learning environment for at least 300 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Under the Information Technology and Telecommunication Division, Rs 800 million was approved for establishing the Asan Khidmat Centre in Islamabad as a flagship public service delivery initiative. An additional Rs 3.7 billion was allocated for PSDP projects aimed at enhancing digital connectivity, improving IT infrastructure, promoting e-governance, and supporting national ICT ecosystem development, with a requirement that the funds be used appropriately on designated projects.
For the Federal Board of Revenue, the ECC approved Rs 3 billion of a proposed Rs 10 billion for the establishment of Digital Enforcement Stations along the Indus, Hub, and Balochistan rivers, with the remaining allocation scheduled for the fourth quarter.
Regarding the Asia Petroleum Limited pipeline, the ECC formed a committee including representatives from the Petroleum Division, Finance Division, Law and Justice Division, SIFC, and Pakistan State Oil to propose a way forward by 31 January. The committee will negotiate the Implementation Agreement, Guarantee Agreement, Letter of Agreement, and determine ownership and alternative use of the pipeline.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting received Rs 700 million of a proposed Rs 1 billion for its Film and Drama Finance Fund under the National Film and Broadcasting Policy 2018. The fund aims to strengthen Pakistan’s film and drama industry and promote the country’s strategic narrative through high-quality, responsible content. The ministry is required to submit six-monthly reports on fund utilization with key performance indicators.
The ECC meeting was attended by federal ministers from power, petroleum, investment, commerce, planning, and industries divisions, along with federal secretaries and senior officials from the concerned ministries, divisions, and regulatory bodies. This approval demonstrates the government’s focus on supporting development, defence, digital initiatives, and cultural promotion through targeted financial allocations.
