The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved Rs. 1.094 billion for a Luxury Executive Jet for the Pakistan Army. The funding will support the induction of a Lineage L-1000 aircraft into the army’s fleet.
The approval was part of supplementary grants worth approximately Rs. 380 billion. The ECC cleared these grants during a meeting held on Wednesday. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the meeting.
The Defense Division submitted several funding requests for approval. Alongside the Luxury Executive Jet, the committee approved additional funds for various defense and security projects.
These included Rs. 54 billion under three different heads of Defense Services projects. More than Rs. 31 billion was approved for the Special Security Divisions of North and South.
The committee also cleared Rs. 11.88 billion for different Pakistan Navy projects. Another Rs. 10 billion was approved for internal security duties and related allowances. Additionally, Project Istaqlal received Rs. 29.139 billion in supplementary funding.
ECC Approves Rs. 275 Billion for Water Projects
The ECC also approved Rs. 275 billion for major water sector projects. These projects are currently under implementation and facing financial difficulties.
The funding will support several important national projects. These include the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam and Greater Karachi Water Supply project.
The Chashma Right Bank Canal and Kacchi Canal will also receive funding. The money will be released gradually according to WAPDA’s requirements and payment schedule.
The federal budget for 2026-27 had allocated around Rs. 103 billion for these projects. However, WAPDA reported difficulties in continuing work because of limited funding.
WAPDA Chairman Muhammad Saeed had informed a parliamentary committee about the funding shortage. He said the available allocation was insufficient for the projects. He also stated that his requests for additional funds received approval from the prime minister and Finance Ministry.
Additional Funding for Security and Energy Projects
The ECC approved another Rs. 3.71 billion for Frontier Corps Balochistan (North). The funding will cover helicopter maintenance requirements.
The approval followed a request from the Narcotics Control Division. The committee also allowed continued gas supplies to two fertilizer plants in Punjab.
Fatima and Agritech will receive gas supplies until December 31. This permission remains subject to gas availability.
The committee also approved transferring Rs. 15.625 billion to the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund 2026. These savings came from government austerity and fuel conservation measures.
Restrictions on Smart Glasses Imports
The ECC also approved restrictions on importing camera-enabled smart glasses. The decision followed a summary submitted by the Commerce Division.
The committee recommended that provincial governments and Islamabad develop workplace regulations. These rules would govern the use of camera-enabled smart glasses in professional environments.
Additionally, the ECC approved certain relaxations under Exploration and Production rules. These will support the extension and renewal of 89 petroleum rights.
The approvals remain subject to fulfilment of prescribed conditions. The committee also sanctioned Rs. 1 billion for village gasification during the 2026-27 financial year.
The funding will support villages located within five kilometres of gas production fields. This initiative aims to expand access to gas in eligible communities.
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Overall, the ECC approved funding for defense, water, security and energy-related initiatives. The Luxury Executive Jet allocation formed part of the broader supplementary funding package.
