ECC approves Rs275bn for water projects, Rs54bn for defence schemes

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Wednesday approved Rs275 billion in technical supplementary grants for key water resources projects, alongside Rs54 billion for ongoing defence services schemes and Rs29.14 billion for Project Istehkam.

The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, considered an 11-point agenda covering financial, development and technical supplementary grants, as well as decisions relating to youth loans, petroleum exploration, gas supply and imports.

The ECC approved a Rs275 billion technical supplementary grant for important projects of the Ministry of Water Resources, aimed at supporting water infrastructure development and the implementation of ongoing schemes.

It also approved a Rs54 billion technical supplementary grant for ongoing projects of defence services.

For Project Istehkam, the committee approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs29.139 billion.

The ECC also approved an additional Rs1.094 billion grant for the induction of a Lineage 1000 aircraft.

A further Rs37.1 million was approved for the repair of a helicopter belonging to Frontier Corps Balochistan North.

Changes approved to PM youth loan scheme

The committee approved proposed revisions to loan tiers and bank rates under the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme.

According to the official statement, the changes are aimed at providing young people with easier access to loans and promoting business activity and employment opportunities.

Rs15.63bn savings transferred to austerity fund

The ECC approved the transfer of Rs15.625 billion in savings generated through austerity and fuel conservation measures to the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund 2026.

Smart glasses import restrictions

The committee also approved restrictions on the import of camera-equipped smart glasses.

It recommended that provincial governments and the Islamabad administration develop appropriate official regulations governing their use.

Gas supply to fertiliser plants extended

The ECC approved the continuation of gas supplies to SNGPL-based fertiliser plants, Fatima Fert and Agritech, until December 31.

The continuation of supplies will, however, remain subject to the availability of the required energy resources.

Petroleum exploration rules eased

The committee approved relaxation in exploration and production rules to allow the extension and renewal of 89 petroleum rights, subject to the fulfilment of prescribed conditions.

The move is intended to facilitate the continuation and renewal of petroleum exploration and production activities.

Rs1bn approved for villages near gas fields

The ECC also approved a Rs1 billion technical supplementary grant for the gasification of villages located within a five-kilometre radius of gas-producing fields during the current fiscal year.

The funding is expected to support the development of gas infrastructure and improve access to natural gas in communities located near producing fields.

Sugar exports also reviewed

Separately, a cabinet committee on the export of surplus sugar, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, reviewed ongoing measures and administrative, technical and procedural matters related to exports.

The meeting reviewed the country’s existing sugar stocks and domestic consumption requirements and agreed that sugar exports should not affect price stability in the local market.

Dar said the export of surplus agricultural commodities could strengthen the agricultural economy and help Pakistan earn valuable foreign exchange, but stressed that protecting the interests of domestic consumers remained the government’s foremost priority.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on the Export of Surplus Sugar today.

The meeting evaluated ongoing measures to streamline the export of surplus sugar alongside finalising the… pic.twitter.com/KWxxTHsv4P

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) November 4, 2026

He directed authorities to maintain strategic sugar reserves to meet national requirements and ensure that exports did not create upward pressure on retail prices.

Federal ministers for National Food Security and Research and Economic Affairs also attended the meeting.