ECC Approves Rs. 24B Grants for Defence & Law and Order

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, chaired by Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, has approved supplementary grants worth Rs. 24 billion to strengthen defence projects and maintain law and order across the country.

In its latest meeting, the ECC gave the green light to a Rs. 4 billion Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) for compensation to residents whose land was acquired for the Defence Complex Islamabad. The balance of this requirement will be covered by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The Committee also approved Rs. 20 billion for the Ministry of Interior to support law and order needs, with phased disbursements to be managed by the Finance Division. In addition, Rs. 174.8 million was sanctioned for the HQ Frontier Corps KP (North) in Peshawar to strengthen enforcement measures.

The ECC is the federal government’s key decision-making forum for economic and financial matters. Recently, it has been addressing pressing funding gaps in defence infrastructure, law enforcement, and strategic state-owned entities. At the same meeting, the Committee also reviewed a summary regarding the Roosevelt Hotel, New York, after its lease termination with the New York City administration. While urgent support was acknowledged, the Finance Ministry has been directed to revise and resubmit financial estimates for the hotel.

Furthermore, the ECC approved an amendment to the Business-to-Business (B2B) Barter Trade Mechanism with Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia, reflecting efforts to expand regional trade cooperation despite global economic pressures.

Breakdown of Approved Grants

Federal ministers for petroleum, commerce, investment, and privatisation, along with senior secretaries and regulatory officials, attended the meeting.

Quoting an official,

“The ECC decisions reflect the government’s commitment to meet urgent defence and security needs while also facilitating trade and economic cooperation.”