Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved supplementary grants worth about Rs380 billion on Wednesday. It directed Rs275 billion to five major water projects. It also directed around Rs84 billion to the armed forces. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the meeting. The meeting considered 11 agenda items from various ministries and divisions.
However, water projects under implementation had run into financial constraints, Dawn reported. The 2026-27 budget also allocated about Rs103 billion for them. Wapda had told a parliamentary panel that the allocation was insufficient. The prime minister and the Finance Ministry approved its requests for adequate funds.
An official statement said the approvals aimed to meet essential operational requirements. It also said they supported national security priorities. Defence Division summaries accounted for about Rs84.23 billion. That total also included Rs54 billion for ongoing Defence Services projects. It also included Rs29.139 billion for Project Istaqlal. It also included Rs1.094 billion for the induction of a Lineage L-1000 executive jet into the army fleet.
Within the Rs54 billion, the ECC set aside more than Rs31 billion for the Special Security Divisions (North and South). It also allocated Rs11.88 billion for Pakistan Navy projects. It also allocated Rs10 billion for internal security duties and allowances. Dawn reported these figures.
| Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ongoing Defence Services projects | Rs54 billion |
| Project Istaqlal | Rs29.139 billion |
| Lineage L-1000 executive jet for army fleet | Rs1.094 billion |
Rs275 billion for five water projects
Water sector funds will go to five projects. These projects are the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and the Mohmand Dam. They also include the Greater Karachi Water Supply (K-IV). They also include the Chashma Right Bank Canal and the Kacchi Canal. The statement said Wapda will disburse the funds gradually under its payment plan for project implementation.
Gas supply to two Punjab-based fertiliser plants will continue until December 31. The plants are Fatima and Agritech. The committee decided this, subject to availability.
ECC also approved restrictions on the import of camera-enabled smart glasses, according to the official statement. It recommended that provincial governments and Islamabad develop workplace regulations for such devices.
The ECC approved relaxation of Exploration and Production Rules for the extension and renewal of 89 petroleum rights. That approval came subject to prescribed conditions. The ECC also approved a Rs1 billion grant for gasification of villages. These villages lie within five kilometres of gas production fields. The grant covers FY27.
The ECC approved revised tiers and bank rate for the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme. This change aims to expand access to affordable financing. Business Recorder reported this decision. In addition, austerity and fuel conservation measures saved Rs15.625 billion. That amount went to the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund 2026.
The federal government had secured about Rs1.035 trillion in additional funds from the four provinces. It secured the funds outside the National Finance Commission in June. The funds will meet strategic national requirements, including water and national security. Dawn reported these figures.
So far, the ECC has confirmed the grant approvals and the other decisions. It announced them after the November 4 meeting. However, the statement does not give a project-wise breakdown of the Rs275 billion water allocation. Disbursement will also follow Wapda’s payment plan as implementation proceeds.
