Islamabad – The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, greenlit a series of financial allocations on Friday, addressing media dues, defence projects, and healthcare development.
A Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) of Rs2 billion was carved out from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Rs5.6 billion budget to settle long-pending advertisement dues with media houses. “This move will strengthen trust between the government and media stakeholders,” an official statement noted.
The ECC also sanctioned Rs430 million for the Ministry of Defence to implement SAP schemes in Punjab during the current fiscal year, ensuring timely execution of critical projects. On the healthcare front, Rs250 million was approved as government-paid-up capital for the Jinnah Medical Complex & Research Centre (JMC&RC) in Islamabad, paving the way for a state-of-the-art 1,000-bed academic medical facility. The committee, however, demanded a detailed expenditure plan before future funds are released.
In a strategic financial shift, the ECC endorsed the gradual transfer of the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Rs330 billion Long-Term Financing Facility (LTFF) portfolio to Exim Bank. An initial Rs1 billion TSG was allocated to cover the LTFF subsidy for FY 2025, marking the first step in this phased transition.
The decisions reflect the government’s focus on clearing liabilities, bolstering security, and advancing public health infrastructure amidst fiscal constraints.
