The approvals were part of supplementary grants worth approximately Rs380 billion cleared by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet. The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad on Wednesday, November 4.
According to Dawn’s report by Khaleeq Kiani, the ECC approved three separate summaries submitted by the Defense Division, with around Rs84 billion allocated for the country’s armed forces.
The first summary approved supplementary grants of Rs54 billion under three different heads of the Defense Services project. This included more than Rs31 billion for the Special Security Divisions of North and South (SSD-N and SSD-S), Rs11.88 billion for various Pakistan Navy projects and Rs10 billion for internal security duties and allowances.
The second summary approved Rs1.094 billion for the induction of a Lineage L-1000 aircraft, described as a luxury executive jet, into the Pakistan Army’s fleet.
The third summary allocated Rs29.139 billion for Project Istaqlal. Dawn reported that the official statement did not provide further details about the project’s objectives or the specific use of the approved funds.
An official statement said the approvals were aimed at meeting essential operational requirements and supporting national security priorities,
“The approvals are aimed at meeting essential operational requirements and supporting national security priorities,” the statement said, quoted Dawn.
In addition to the defence-related allocations, the ECC approved Rs275 billion in supplementary grants for five major water-sector projects facing financial constraints. These include the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Greater Karachi Water Supply project (K-IV), Chashma Right Bank Canal and Kacchi Canal.
The funds will be released gradually according to the Water and Power Development Authority’s (Wapda) requirements and payment schedule for project implementation.
The government had allocated approximately Rs103 billion for these water projects in the 2026-27 budget. However, Wapda had raised concerns that the available funding was insufficient and was creating difficulties for ongoing construction work.
The ECC also approved Rs3.71 billion for the Frontier Corps Balochistan (North) to meet helicopter maintenance requirements, following a request from the Narcotics Control Division.
Separately, the committee approved the transfer of Rs15.625 billion in savings generated through austerity and fuel conservation measures to the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund 2026.
The ECC also approved other measures, including restrictions on imports of camera-enabled smart glasses, a relaxation of petroleum exploration rules for the extension and renewal of 89 petroleum rights, and Rs1 billion for gasification of villages located within five kilometers of gas production fields during the 2026-27 financial year.
Dawn published the report on November 5, 2026, under the headline “Economic Coordination Committee clears Rs380bn grants.”
Link https://www.dawn.com/news/2042201
