The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, has approved a wide-ranging set of financial allocations spanning defence, public service delivery, and national digital and ICT development. The decisions reflect a continued focus on strengthening government capacity, improving citizen services, and expanding technology driven infrastructure across key sectors, while maintaining fiscal alignment through phased releases and future budget integration.
During the meeting, the ECC approved more than Rs7 billion in Technical Supplementary Grants for the Defence Division under two separate allocations. An amount of Rs2 billion was sanctioned for the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Program in Punjab for the current financial year, supporting development focused initiatives aligned with national and provincial targets. In addition, Rs5.081 billion was approved for defence services, covering capacity enhancement, infrastructure development, community engagement, and cybersecurity related requirements. The Committee noted that the funds would be released in a phased manner, with recurring expenditures to be absorbed into the regular defence budget from the next fiscal year. This approach aims to balance immediate operational needs with longer term fiscal planning, while also addressing emerging cybersecurity considerations within defence services.
Beyond defence related spending, the ECC also cleared a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs322.87 million for the procurement of 15 coasters for the Directorate General of Special Education. This allocation supports the establishment of an Autism Centre of Excellence in Islamabad, a project designed to provide a secure and enabling learning environment for at least 300 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The initiative reflects an effort to integrate inclusive education and specialized support services into public sector development planning, alongside investments in digital and physical infrastructure.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on technology, ICT, and digital governance initiatives. The ECC approved Rs800 million for the Asan Khidmat Centre in Islamabad, a flagship citizen centric service delivery project that relies on digital platforms to streamline access to government services. In parallel, Rs3.7 billion was sanctioned for multiple Public Sector Development Program projects aimed at strengthening digital connectivity, upgrading IT infrastructure, promoting e governance, and supporting broader national ICT development goals. The Committee directed relevant ministries to ensure that the approved funds are deployed strictly against their designated projects to maximize impact and implementation efficiency.
In line with expanding digital enforcement and monitoring capabilities, the ECC also approved Rs3 billion for the establishment of Digital Enforcement Stations by the Federal Board of Revenue along the Indus, Hub, and Balochistan rivers. This allocation forms part of a larger Rs10 billion plan, with the remaining funds expected to be released in the fourth quarter. The initiative is intended to enhance technology enabled oversight and improve enforcement capacity through digital systems deployed at strategic locations.
The Committee also discussed the future course of the Asia Petroleum Limited Pipeline and constituted a dedicated committee to formulate a comprehensive plan by 31 January 2026. The committee, comprising representatives from relevant ministries and Pakistan State Oil, has been tasked with negotiating key agreements and determining ownership structure and potential alternative uses for the pipeline. Separately, the ECC approved Rs700 million for the Film and Drama Finance Fund under the National Film and Broadcasting Policy 2018. The funding is aimed at supporting quality content production, with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directed to submit six monthly reports on fund utilization against defined performance indicators.
The meeting was attended by several federal ministers, including Sardar Awais Ahmad Leghari, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Jam Kamal Khan, and Ahsan Iqbal, along with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, federal secretaries, and senior officials from relevant ministries and regulatory bodies.
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