ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss and approve various Technical Supplementary Grants/Supplementary Grants.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmud, Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Aisha Ghous Pasha, SAPM on Finance Mr. Tariq Bajwa, Coordinator to the PM on Economy Mr. Bilal Azhar Kayani, SAPM on Revenue Mr. Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Coordinator to PM on Commerce & Industry Rana Ihsan Afzal, federal secretaries, and other senior officers.
ECC approves grant for NHA
During the meeting, the ECC deliberated on several grants and approved the following Technical Supplementary Grants/Supplementary Grants. An allocation of Rs. 100 Million was approved for the National Highway Authority (NHA) under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2022-23. The funds will be utilized for the construction of a road from Dalbandin to Ziarat Balanosh, spanning 77 kilometers.
In addition, the ECC sanctioned Rs. 1,666 Million for the NHA to cover the expenditure incurred on the restoration of roads damaged during the 2022 floods.
The committee also allocated Rs. 5.57 billion to the Ministry of Commerce for the payment of the federal government’s share, on a 50:50 basis with provinces, for the import of Urea fertilizer. To ensure timely subsidy payments, the ECC advised the Ministry of Industries & Production to coordinate with the provinces.
Furthermore, the ECC approved an allocation of Rs. 17.3 Million to the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission to cover employee-related expenditures. The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) received Rs. 922 Million for the execution of the development project “Construction of 2nd Circuit stringing from Jiwani to Gwadar.”
The Cabinet Division was allocated Rs. 1 billion for the SDGs Achievement Programme (SAP) to support ongoing schemes, while Rs. 50 million was allocated to the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety for SOS Children’s Villages, Pakistan.
Additionally, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting received Rs. 550 Million for publicity/ awareness campaigns of the Federal Government during the current financial year.
The ECC’s approval of these grants aims to support various development projects, provide financial assistance to ministries and divisions, and promote social welfare programs in the country.
These initiatives align with the government’s commitment to achieving sustainable development goals and ensuring the overall progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
