Release of a TSG for LG elections: ECC directs ECP to resubmit summary

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to re-submit the summary regarding seeking the release of a Technical Supplementary Grant for conducting local government elections with a clearer specification of the nature of expenditure and proposed utilization of funds against the requested amount.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired ECC meeting here on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the ECC considered a summary submitted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking the release of a Technical Supplementary Grant amounting to Rs. 455 million for the conduct of local government elections in Punjab, Islamabad Capital Territory, Sindh, and Balochistan during the current financial year 2025–26.

After deliberation, the ECC directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to re-submit the summary with clearer specification of the nature of expenditure and proposed utilization of funds against the requested amount.

On two separate summaries submitted by the Interior and Narcotics Division, the ECC approved a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 100 million for the execution of Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP) schemes through the Capital Development Authority. The Committee also approved a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 8.79 million, within the sanctioned budget, for the purchase of spare parts and routine maintenance of a helicopter under the Frontier Corps Balochistan, during the current financial year.

The ECC further approved a proposal submitted by the Federal Education and Professional Training Division for a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 1 billion to ensure continuity of existing scholarship programmes and the launch of new initiatives, including schemes targeting out-of-school children.

ECC approved a proposal from the Revenue Division regarding the allocation of two consignments of relief goods, including tarpaulin tents and winter clothing, confiscated by Pakistan Customs and now vested as state property, to the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan for utilization by the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority in emergency relief operations in calamity-affected areas.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Leghari, who participated virtually, and Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, along with federal secretaries and senior officials from the concerned ministries, divisions and regulatory bodies.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026