ECC approves Rs9.56bn in supplementary grants, extends gas supply to urea plants

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Tuesday approved over Rs9.56 billion in Technical Supplementary Grants (TSGs) for projects under the Interior Ministry and extended gas supply arrangements for two urea manufacturing plants to support fertilizer availability in the country.

The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb at the Finance Division, approved a TSG of Rs2.19 billion for the National Database and Registration Authority’s (NADRA) TDP-ERP/KP-CCSDP project, aimed at continuing operations under the World Bank-financed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Citizen-Centered Service Delivery Project, according to an official statement.

The ECC also approved a Rs5 billion TSG for the Directorate General Immigration and Passports to clear outstanding liabilities related to the printing of passport booklets and ensure uninterrupted passport services.

In addition, the committee sanctioned Rs2.12 billion through a TSG for three development projects under the Interior Division, including the construction of a model prison at H-16 Islamabad, the National Police Hospital Project, and the Foreign National Security Cell Dashboard and allied facilities.

A further Rs240.5 million was approved for the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) to undertake repairs of helicopters required for operational activities.

Separately, the ECC approved a summary moved by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for continuation of gas supply arrangements to SNGPL-based urea plants, Fatima Fertilizer and Agritech, until June 30, 2026.

The government said the decision would support fertilizer availability and help maintain stability in the domestic urea market.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Minister for Education and Professional Training Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, the planning minister, federal secretaries and senior officials from relevant ministries and regulatory bodies.