The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Friday approved provision of Rs. 183.5 million through Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) in favour of the Special Communication Organization (SCO) for installation of telecom sites and telephone towers in District Shigar, Gilgit-Baltistan.
The allocation will support improved connectivity and mobile coverage in remote areas.
The committee met on Friday at the Finance Division under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb.
The ECC approved a summary submitted by the Cabinet Division for Rs. 7,026.3 million through Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) for the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP). The allocation will facilitate continuity of development projects, prevent cost escalations, and timely achievement of programme objectives.
The ECC also approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of Defence for provision of a TSG amounting to Rs. 10.15 billion for the Hangor Project of Pakistan Navy under the Rafale Aircraft and Force Development Package (RAFDP)-2030.
The Committee further approved seven summaries submitted by the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control.
These included Rs. 692.9 million for security arrangements undertaken during the Islamabad Peace Talks, Rs. 241 million for compensation-related expenditures arising from the suicide bomb blast at Imam Bargah Khadijah-tul-Kubra, Taralai, Islamabad, Rs. 528 million for operational requirements of the Pakistan Land Ports Authority (PLPA), Rs. 800 million for procurement of Fast Patrol Boats and associated infrastructure for Pakistan Coast Guards, Rs. 1,883.7 million for the “Expansion of Safe City, Islamabad” project, Rs. 150 million for operational requirements of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), and Rs. 413.9 million for security charges relating to the Reko Diq Project.
The Committee appreciated the successful conduct of the Islamabad Peace Talks and commended the efforts of all stakeholders involved.
The ECC also considered a summary submitted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and approved release of Rs. 733 million in favour of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC) to meet salary requirements for June 2026.
The Committee further approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication for provision of Rs. 183.5 million through TSG in favour of the Special Communication Organization (SCO) for installation of telecom sites and telephone towers in District Shigar, Gilgit-Baltistan.
The allocation will support improved connectivity and mobile coverage in remote areas.
The ECC also approved a TSG of Rs. 119.9 million submitted by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to meet employee-related expenditures arising from revised salaries and allowances of Parliamentary Secretaries during FY 2025-26.
The Committee approved two summaries submitted by the Ministry of Housing and Works regarding placement of development funds into the current account of Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited (PIDCL), including Rs. 8,758.9 million relating to the Karachi and Hyderabad Urban Infrastructure Development Packages and Rs. 2,840 million under SAP for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The ECC further considered three summaries submitted by the Finance Division and approved a TSG of Rs. 1.3 billion for the PSDP project titled “Modernization and Up-gradation of Pakistan Mint (Phase-II-A)” and a TSG of Rs. 4.377 billion in favour of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan to support current expenditure requirements and priority initiatives in the region.
The Committee also approved the policy for grant of Budget Honorarium and allowed inclusion of the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Office of Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) among eligible organizations in recognition of their contributions to the federal budget formulation process.
The Committee also approved the Budget Estimates of IPO-Pakistan for FY 2025-26 submitted by the Ministry of Commerce, comprising regular expenditure of Rs. 914.7 million and projected revenue receipts of Rs. 918 million.
The ECC further considered a summary submitted by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs regarding operational continuity of Engro Vopak Terminal Limited (EVTL) and approved it.
The Committee also approved two summaries submitted by the Petroleum Division, including continuation of syndicated running finance facilities for Pakistan State Oil (PSO) with a ceiling of Rs. 100 billion and the revised framework relating to the Deed of Settlement (DoS) with Cnergyico PK Limited under the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023. The revised framework aims to resolve the Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) issue and support refinery upgradation and investment.
In addition to the regular agenda items, the Committee approved a TSG of Rs. 29.9 million, submitted by the Economic Affairs Division, to meet rental payment obligations for residential accommodation of entitled officers and officials. The ECC also approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control for provision of a TSG amounting to Rs. 30 million for extension and up-gradation of Jamia Masjid at Parliament House, Islamabad.
