ECC clears over Rs15bn in supplementary grants

January 14, 2026 (MLN): The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved more than Rs15 billion in technical supplementary grants across defence, digital infrastructure, tax enforcement and social sectors.

A key decision was to fold a recurring Rs5.08bn defence expenditure into the regular defence budget from the next financial year, showed a lasting increase in baseline spending.

Chaired by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, the meeting cleared multiple funding requests amid tight fiscal conditions, showing government priorities around security, digital governance and revenue enforcement.

On two summaries from the Defence Division, the ECC approved Rs2bn for the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP) in Punjab during the current financial year.

It also approved Rs5.081bn for defence services, covering capacity enhancement, infrastructure development, community engagement and cyber security, according to the press release. 

The defence grant will be released in phases, with the committee directing that the recurring expenditure be incorporated into the standard defence budget from the next fiscal year.

In the social sector, the ECC approved Rs322.87 million to procure 15 coasters for the Directorate General of Special Education to transport special children enrolled at the Autism Centre of Excellence in Islamabad.

The centre is designed to cater to at least 300 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Significant allocations were also made for digital initiatives. On a summary from the Information Technology and Telecommunication Division, the ECC approved Rs800m for establishing the Asan Khidmat Centre in Islamabad, a citizen service facility.

Separately, it cleared Rs3.7bn under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for projects aimed at improving digital connectivity, IT infrastructure, e-governance and the national ICT ecosystem, directing that funds be deployed strictly on designated projects.

For tax enforcement, the ECC considered a proposal by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to establish Digital Enforcement Stations along the Indus, Hub and Balochistan rivers.

Against a total proposed cost of Rs10bn, the committee approved Rs3bn for the third quarter, with the remaining allocation to be considered in the fourth quarter, aligning with a prior decision of the prime minister.

The committee also took up the future of the Asia Petroleum Limited (APL) pipeline.

It formed a multi-agency committee comprising representatives from the Petroleum Division, Finance Division, Law and Justice Division, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to recommend a way forward by January 31.

The group will negotiate the implementation, guarantee and letter agreements with APL and decide on fuel ownership and alternative use of the pipeline.

In the media sector, the ECC approved Rs700m against a request of Rs1bn for the Film and Drama Finance Fund under the National Film and Broadcasting Policy, 2018.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was directed to submit six-monthly utilization reports against defined key performance indicators, with an emphasis on transparent and competitive spending.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers for power, petroleum, investment, commerce and planning, along with senior officials from relevant ministries and regulatory bodies.

Copyright Mettis Link News