Islamabad: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved several key proposals, including a price increase for Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and a special allowance for Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) employees, during its meeting on Thursday.

According to Press Information Department, the ECC reviewed a summary from the Ministry of National Health Services regarding the supply of ARV at the Federal General Hospital in Islamabad. The committee approved an increase in the Maximum Retail Price of ARV produced by the National Institute of Health from Rs. 891.65 to Rs. 1980 per vial to cover import costs and ensure steady production. Additionally, the ECC approved a special allowance for ANF employees, aligning their compensation with other federal law enforcement agencies. The revision, amounting to Rs. 264.744 million, will be covered within the current budget.

The ECC also considered a proposal from the Ministry of Climate Change for a Rs. 150 million supplementary grant to fund Pakistan’s participation in the COP-29 summit in Baku. The committee reviewed a proposal for hosting the South Asian Games in Pakistan, which will be re-submitted with a comprehensive plan for funding. Finally, the ECC approved a Rs. 45 billion supplementary grant for ongoing defense projects.