ECC okays Rs6.6bn for bulletproof vehicles

Dawn reported that the Economic Coordination Committee cleared Rs6.6 billion in extra funds for 30 bulletproof vehicles ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit that Pakistan will host in September 2027. The Cabinet Division had sought Rs12.6 billion for more than 50 vehicles, but the committee approved only the smaller amount. It has asked the division to return with an in-depth needs analysis if further funding is required.

Chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the session allowed gas flows to Fatima Fertiliser and Agritech to carry on until 30 September under the present setup. The request was tied to the unavailability of imported LNG and aimed at keeping fertiliser output on track.

Several other items were handled separately: the committee put off a decision on minimum indicative prices for tobacco and a cess revision, sending the proposal back for more justification. Shipments of donkey meat and hides leaving the Gwadar Free Zone were cleared, subject to safeguards. A Rs5 billion starter sum for the Daanish Schools Authority Fund also received approval. The review of the Pakistan Skills Impact Bond set 30 September 2026 as the cutoff for the education ministry to report progress.