Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has sanctioned several funding allocations alongside revisions to the Import Policy concerning betel nut, a product extensively consumed across the country. The meeting took place on Wednesday in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb.
Among the approvals was a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) of Rs. 2.8 billion allocated to the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI). This program remains vital for vaccinating over eight million children against preventable diseases. The grant will support ongoing pooled procurement of vaccines, syringes, and Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform (CCEOP) in collaboration with provincial authorities.
Meanwhile, the ECC also endorsed amendments to the Import Policy Order (IPO) 2022 for Areca nut, commonly known as betel nut. These changes, approved by the Prime Minister, introduce stringent pre-shipment inspections and heightened regulatory oversight. The objective is to ensure compliance with phytosanitary and food safety standards, reduce trade disputes, and align import practices with global norms, reflecting the commodity’s significant commercial importance domestically.
In another decision, the Committee approved a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 306 million for the Airports Security Force (ASF) under the Defence Division. The funds will cover critical obligations such as payments under the Prime Minister’s Assistance Package, encashment of Leave Preparation Reserve (LPR), and allowances related to travel and daily expenses.
Additionally, Rs. 2 billion was allocated through a Technical Supplementary Grant to the Federal Education and Professional Training Division. These funds, sourced from adjustments within the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), will finance priority projects including the establishment of Daanish School in Kuri, Islamabad, and the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme managed by NAVTTC to boost youth employability.
The ECC underscored the importance of rigorous monitoring and evaluation of fund usage, demanding clear performance indicators and reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency, efficiency, and alignment with the intended goals.
Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik participated in the meeting, along with federal secretaries and senior officials from relevant ministries, divisions, and regulatory bodies.
