ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Friday approved a series of multi-billion rupee technical supplementary grants covering defence procurement, energy sector support, security projects and regional development initiatives.
The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved a number of summary proposals submitted by various ministries and government departments.
Among the major decisions, the ECC sanctioned Rs10.15 billion for the Pakistan Navy’s Hangor project, aimed at enhancing the country’s submarine and maritime defence capabilities.
To support the energy sector and address circular debt challenges, the committee approved the extension of a Rs100 billion syndicated running finance facility for the state-owned Pakistan State Oil (PSO).
The ECC also approved an amended settlement framework agreement with Cnergyico under the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy, resolving outstanding issues related to late payment surcharges and refinery sanitisation.
Officials said the decision would help facilitate long-awaited refinery upgrades and encourage foreign investment in the sector.
The committee further directed that operations at Engro Vopak Terminal Limited (EVTL) should continue uninterrupted through an appropriate regulatory mechanism.
In the security sector, the ECC approved seven proposals submitted by the Ministry of Interior, including Rs1.88 billion for the expansion of the Islamabad Safe City Project.
It also approved Rs413.9 million for security management arrangements related to the Reko Diq mining project in Balochistan.
Additional allocations included Rs800 million for the Pakistan Coast Guards to procure fast patrol boats, Rs150 million for the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), and Rs528 million for border management and operational requirements of the Pakistan Land Ports Authority.
The committee also approved a compensation package worth Rs241 million for the families of those martyred and affected by the last suicide bombing in Islamabad.
Separately, Rs692.9 million was sanctioned to clear pending security-related expenditures linked to the Islamabad Peace Dialogue.
For regional development, the ECC approved Rs4.37 billion to address urgent budgetary requirements of the Gilgit-Baltistan government, along with Rs183.5 million for the installation of mobile phone towers in the remote Shigar district.
Under the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP), the committee approved Rs7.26 billion for federally administered community projects and an additional Rs2.84 billion infrastructure grant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The ECC also approved Rs8.75 billion for ongoing urban development projects in Karachi and Hyderabad.
In the public sector, the committee sanctioned a Rs733 million financial package for state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) to ensure payment of employee salaries for June.
For industrial development, Rs1.30 billion was approved for Phase-IIA of the Pakistan Mint modernisation project, while Rs914.7 million was allocated to the Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO-Pakistan) for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The committee further approved Rs119.9 million to cover salaries and allowances of parliamentary secretaries, as well as Rs30 million for the expansion and renovation of the mosque located within the Parliament House complex.
It also sanctioned honorariums for officials associated with the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Law and the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) in recognition of additional duties performed during the fiscal year.