Meeting will focus on approval of substantial grants and additional funds in several sectors
ISLAMABAD:
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has been convened for an important meeting on the weekend before the federal budget, during which a wide range of financial and development-related proposals, involving billions of rupees, are expected to be considered, sources said on Thursday.
Officials said the meeting would focus on approving substantial grants and additional funds across multiple sectors, with decisions likely to shape key budgetary and development priorities before the new budget is announced.
Among the key proposals on the agenda is a subsidy exceeding Rs 7 billion under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme, which is expected to be discussed in detail during the session. Sources said Rs528 million for Pakistan Land Ports Authority is also under consideration.
Approval of Rs150 million additional funds for the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) is awaited. Security-related funding will also feature prominently, with more than Rs410 million proposed for payments related to the Reko Diq project.
Besides, Rs 690 million has been requested for security arrangements related to the Islamabad peace talks.
The agenda also includes transfer of development funds under the Karachi and Hyderabad scheme, as well as deliberations on redistribution of special scheme funds for KP.
A proposal worth Rs 1.3 billion for the modernization of the Pakistan Mint is also part of the agenda, along with consideration of a syndicated financing mechanism for Pakistan State Oil (PSO). Sources said an agreement on an oil refinery modernization project will also be discussed during the session.
Additionally, additional grants and additional allocations for various ministries are expected to be approved, as the government prepares to finalize key financial and development decisions ahead of the next budget announcement.
