The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of Pakistan’s Cabinet has approved technical supplementary grants exceeding Rs66.11 billion to support key sectors including agriculture, public health, infrastructure, and public utilities, reinforcing government efforts toward economic stability and essential service continuity. The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad and focused on fiscal management, consumer protection, and operational requirements across multiple ministries.
A major portion of the approved funds includes Rs23.42 billion allocated for sharing the subsidy on imported urea between the federal and provincial governments on a 50:50 basis. The subsidy was requested by the Ministry of Commerce to ensure fertilizer availability for farmers and maintain agricultural productivity. Of the total amount, Rs15 billion will be released by the Finance Division, while the remaining portion will be arranged based on available fiscal space. Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad clarified that the subsidy is not a new initiative and has been accounted for as part of targeted government support measures.
The ECC also authorized the disposal of 500,000 metric tons of wheat held by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) through competitive bidding. The decision aims to manage surplus reserves, reduce long-term storage expenses, and stabilize domestic wheat prices while maintaining food security standards. Alongside this, the committee approved the supply of 300,000 metric tons of PASSCO wheat to the Punjab Government’s Food and Consumer Protection Department to ensure steady wheat flow to flour mills and prevent market disruptions.
To address long-standing financial liabilities, the ECC approved Rs10.98 billion as a technical supplementary grant to clear outstanding payments owed by utility companies to the Pakistan Post Office Department. These payables had accumulated over several years and were impacting operational efficiency across public service institutions.
In a significant move for public health, Rs29.663 billion was approved for the Federal Directorate of Immunization under the Ministry of National Health Services. The funding will support continuous procurement of vaccines and syringes under the Expanded Programme on Immunization, ensuring nationwide coverage and preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The approval also helps Pakistan meet international public health commitments and sustain routine immunization targets.
The committee further approved Rs1.9 billion for the Ministry of Housing and Works to fund capital projects under the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme. These development schemes will be implemented in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through the Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited, focusing on infrastructure upgrades and improved public service delivery.
An additional Rs150 million was granted to Cadet College Hasan Abdal under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to meet operational and development needs, ensuring continued academic and institutional performance.
In a move promoting renewable energy and regional support, the ECC authorized the distribution of confiscated solar panels by the Federal Board of Revenue to the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. The initiative includes a transportation and distribution plan designed to ease electricity shortages, support public facilities, and expand sustainable energy use in the region.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, and senior officials from relevant ministries and regulatory bodies, reflecting cross-sector coordination in addressing fiscal and development priorities.
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