Islamabad: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has sanctioned over eight billion rupees for multiple development projects, providing a significant financial boost to sectors including youth skills development, health, and national infrastructure.

According to Radio Pakistan, the ECC meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad, allocated over 3.9 billion rupees for the Prime Minister Youth Skill Development Programme and the establishment of Danish Schools in regions such as Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan. Additionally, the committee approved 160 million rupees for the repair and maintenance of the Prime Minister’s Office and 480 million rupees for the operational needs of the Frontier Corps KP (North) Hospital in Shakas, District Khyber.

Further approvals included 1.5 billion rupees for the Prime Minister National Health Programme and 578.838 million rupees to increase the monthly Subsistence Allowance for Jammu and Kashmir Refugees of 1989, with the allowance rising from 3,500 rupees to 6,000 rupees per person, effective from February this year.

The ECC also sanctioned one billion rupees each for the Railways Division and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Moreover, the committee provided in-principle approval for the restructuring of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, involving the sale of 30 percent shareholding and transfer of management control to the National Logistics Corporation.

In a move to harness Pakistan’s gemstone potential, the ECC approved the National Policy to Realize Pakistan’s Gemstone Potential 2026-2030. The policy aims to formalize the gemstone sector, promote value addition, modern mining practices, and enhance exports, with a focus on regional economic development in areas such as Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir.