Islamabad, In a major fiscal move, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved eighteen supplementary grants totaling over Rs 245 billion, as chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the grants are aimed at a range of sectors, reflecting the government’s prioritization of urgent fiscal needs across various departments. Significant allocations include Rs 126.848 million to the Cabinet Division for customs duties, Rs 5.4 billion to the Ministry of National Health Services for healthcare enhancements, and Rs 4.92 billion to the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan for regional development.

Other notable allocations include Rs 6.596 billion to the Ministry of National Food Security, Rs 332 million to the Ministry of Economic Affairs for developing the Somali National Identification System via NADRA, and substantial funds to the Defence Division for green tourism projects and addressing pay shortfalls.

Additionally, the ECC green-lighted several strategic proposals, such as exempting the Higher Education Commission from the Relending Policy of Foreign Loans, facilitating a Rs 9 billion release for outstanding claims of oil marketing companies including PSO, and authorizing the export of 0.15 million metric tons of surplus sugar with strict market monitoring clauses.

Furthermore, the Cabinet Committee approved a summary from the Power Division to repay an Rs 82 billion finance facility extended to PHL by OGDCL, emphasizing the government’s commitment to stabilizing financial operations in key public sectors.