ECC sanctions wheat sales, vaccine funding, solar panels and development allocations

WEB DESK: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved a series of key decisions on food security, energy, health and education during its meeting on Wednesday.

The committee decided that the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) will sell 500,000 metric tonnes of wheat through a competitive bidding process. In a related move to ensure uninterrupted flour supply in Punjab, the ECC also approved the release of 300,000 metric tonnes of PASSCO wheat to the province.

To address financial obligations, the ECC authorised the release of Rs10.98 billion for the payment of outstanding dues of Pakistan Post. In the health sector, the committee approved Rs29.663 billion in funding to ensure the uninterrupted supply of vaccines across the country.

The ECC also decided that the subsidy on imported urea will be shared equally between the federal government and the provinces, adopting a 50-50 cost-sharing mechanism.

In terms of development spending, the committee approved Rs1.9 billion for various development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. An additional allocation of Rs150 million was sanctioned for Cadet College Hasan Abdal to support its ongoing requirements.

To help mitigate the power crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan, the ECC approved the distribution of confiscated solar panels in the region, aiming to provide relief to areas facing acute electricity shortages.

The decisions reflect the government’s broader focus on stabilising food supplies, strengthening essential public services and supporting development initiatives, particularly in underserved regions.