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The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, has approved over Rs 7 billion in funds for the Defence Division, alongside allocations for public service and ICT development initiatives.
In the meeting, the ECC cleared two separate Technical Supplementary Grants (TSGs) for the Defence Division. This includes Rs 2 billion for the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Program (SAP) in Punjab during the current financial year, and Rs 5.081 billion for defence services, covering capacity enhancement, infrastructure development, community engagement, and cybersecurity. The funds will be released phased manner, with recurring expenditures incorporated into the regular defence budget from the next fiscal year.
The Committee also approved a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs 322.87 million for 15 coasters to support the Directorate General of Special Education, which is establishing an Autism Centre of Excellence in Islamabad. The center is expected to provide a safe and enabling learning environment for at least 300 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Digital and ICT Investments
On the Information Technology and Telecommunication front, the ECC approved Rs 800 million for the Asan Khidmat Centre in Islamabad, a flagship citizen-centric service initiative. Additionally, Rs 3.7 billion was sanctioned for Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) projects, focusing on strengthening digital connectivity, improving IT infrastructure, promoting e-governance, and supporting national ICT development. The ECC directed that the funds be appropriately deployed on the designated projects.
In line with digital infrastructure expansion, the Committee also approved Rs 3 billion for the establishment of Digital Enforcement Stations by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) along the Indus, Hub, and Balochistan rivers. This is part of a larger Rs 10 billion allocation, with the remaining funds expected in the fourth quarter.
Petroleum and Film Industry Funding
The ECC discussed the future of the Asia Petroleum Limited (APL) Pipeline, constituting a committee to formulate a plan by 31 January 2026. The committee, comprising representatives from relevant ministries and Pakistan State Oil, will negotiate terms of the Implementation Agreement, Guarantee Agreement, and Letter of Agreement, as well as determine ownership and alternative uses for the pipeline.
Separately, the ECC approved Rs 700 million for the Film and Drama Finance Fund, under the National Film and Broadcasting Policy 2018, to promote the country’s film and drama industry. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has been directed to submit six-monthly reports on fund utilization against key performance indicators to ensure transparency and high-quality content production.
The meeting was attended by 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 concerned ministries and regulatory bodies.
