ECC approves grant of Rs1.8bn for VVIP aircraft of President, PM

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet has approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs 1.8 billion to refurbish the engines of two VVIP aircraft used by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for state functions.

The ECC meeting, chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, also reviewed several proposals from various sectors.

According to a press statement, “The ECC considered and approved a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs 1.8 billion to the Ministry of Defence for the overhaul of engines on the VVIP planes used by the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan.”

Additionally, the ECC evaluated a proposal from the Ministry of National Food Security & Research regarding the distribution of domestic and imported wheat stocks from PASSCO to regions lacking sufficient wheat for the Food Year 2024-25.

After thorough discussion, the ECC determined that both domestic and imported wheat would be allocated and released by PASSCO according to the allocation ratio established on February 1, 2024.

It was decided that all seven wheat-deficient agencies and regions would draw wheat based on their confirmed needs during the Food Year 2024-25. The ECC also instructed that the wheat picked up by these agencies be tested beforehand for quality and suitability for consumption.

Furthermore, the ECC approved a proposal from the Ministry of Interior for a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs 252.711 million, which was surrendered by the Ministry of Housing and Works.

This amount is to be allocated to the Capital Development Authority to ensure the continuous provision of civic services at the Prime Minister’s Office (Public), Prime Minister’s Office Internal, and Prime Minister’s Staff Colony.

Lastly, the ECC accepted another proposal from the Ministry of Interior for a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs 2.939 billion to the Director General of Immigration & Passports.

This funding will be used to purchase two e-Passport Personalisation systems and six desktop personalisation machines to facilitate uninterrupted operations within the Directorate for public service.