The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved around 380 billion rupees for various ministries and divisions.

The ECC, which met in Islamabad today with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in the chair, approved 275 billion rupees for the development of key water infrastructure and to help advance the implementation of ongoing projects.

It further approved 54 billion rupees for various ongoing Defence Services projects. It also approved another 1.094 billion rupees for the induction of a Lineage L-1000 aircraft and 29.139 billion rupees for Project Istaqlal.

The Committee also approved a grant worth 3.71 million rupees to meet the helicopter maintenance requirements of the Frontier Corps Balochistan (North).

It approved the transfer of 15.625 billion rupees in savings generated through austerity and fuel conservation measures to the Prime Minister's Austerity Fund 2026.

One billion rupees was approved for the gasification of villages falling within a five-kilometre radius of gas production fields during the current fiscal year.

The approval will facilitate gas infrastructure development and improve access to natural gas in communities near producing fields.

The ECC also allowed the continuation of gas supply to FatimaFert and Agritech, the two SNGPL-based urea manufacturing plants, up to December 31, 2026, subject to the availability of the required energy supply.

It approved relaxation in the applicable Exploration and Production Rules for the extension and renewal of 89 petroleum rights, subject to fulfillment of the prescribed conditions.

Besides, the ECC allowed the proposed revision in the tiers and bank rate of the Prime Minister's Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme. The revised structure aims to expand access to affordable financing and promote youth entrepreneurship and employment.

The Committee also approved restrictions on the import of camera-enabled smart glasses.

It recommended that the provincial governments and the Islamabad Capital Territory develop appropriate workplace regulations to govern the use of such devices.