ECC approves Rs15bn supplementary grant for various initiatives

Islamabad: The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet has approved a technical supplementary grant of over 15 billion rupees to support development, defence and digital initiatives.

The approval was granted at the ECC meeting held in Islamabad today with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in the chair.

It okayed two billion rupees for the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme in Punjab and 5.081 billion rupees for defence services, covering capacity enhancement, infrastructure development, community engagement and cyber security.

The ECC further approved 322.87 million rupees for the provision of 15 coasters for the Directorate General of Special Education to facilitate the transport of special children enrolled at the Autism Centre of Excellence being set up in Islamabad. The Centre is intended to cater to at least 300 children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder by providing them with a safe and enabling learning environment.

The ECC approved 800 million rupees for the establishment of the Asan Khidmat Centre in Islamabad. It allowed 3.7 billion rupees for Public Sector Development Programme projects aimed at strengthening digital connectivity, enhancing IT infrastructure, promoting e-governance and supporting the development of the national ICT ecosystem.

The committee allocated three billion rupees regarding the establishment of Digital Enforcement Stations along the Indus, Hub and Balochistan rivers.

The ECC also approved 700 million rupees for Film and Drama Finance Fund. The initiative aims to strengthen Pakistan's film and drama industry and support the country's strategic narrative at national and international forums through responsible, high-quality screen content.