The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved a supplementary grant of Rs6.6 billion for the purchase of 30 bulletproof vehicles for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit Pakistan is scheduled to host in September 2027.
The decision was taken at an ECC meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday. The Cabinet Division had originally sought Rs12.6bn to procure more than 50 bulletproof vehicles for the transportation of heads of state attending the summit.
After reviewing the proposal, the ECC approved funding for 30 vehicles. It directed the Cabinet Division to conduct a detailed assessment before seeking funds for any additional vehicles and to return to the committee if further purchases were considered necessary.
The committee also considered a proposal from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research regarding minimum indicative prices for the tobacco crop and revised cess rates for 2026-27. The ECC found the justification insufficient and deferred the matter, directing the ministry to submit a revised proposal with further explanation.
In another decision, the committee permitted the export of donkey meat and hides from the Gwadar Free Zone, subject to the required safeguards and recommendations of the committee established to address related issues.
The ECC also approved the continuation of gas supplies to Fatima Fertiliser and Agritech until September 30 under the existing arrangement. The measure is intended to maintain fertiliser production amid the non-availability of imported liquefied natural gas.
At the request of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, the committee approved a supplementary grant of Rs5bn as seed funding for the Daanish Schools Authority Fund. The amount will be maintained under an endowment framework.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the Pakistan Skills Impact Bond and directed the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to demonstrate substantive progress on the initiative by September 30, 2026. The government has extended a sovereign guarantee for the programme.
