ECC approves PKR 6.6bn for 30 bulletproof vehicles for 2027 SCO Summit

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet met in Islamabad on September 7, 2026, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The committee approved a technical supplementary grant to buy 30 bulletproof vehicles for the SCO Summit, which Pakistan will host in September 2027. It also cleared several other funding and policy matters raised by federal ministries.

How much did the ECC approve for SCO Summit vehicles?

The ECC approved a technical supplementary grant of PKR 6.6 billion to purchase 30 bulletproof vehicles for moving heads of state during the SCO Summit. This is half of the PKR 12.6 billion the Cabinet Division had originally requested. The committee asked the Cabinet Division to carry out an in-depth needs analysis and resubmit the case if any additional funds are required.

What is the Economic Coordination Committee?

The ECC is a cabinet committee in Pakistan that coordinates economic policy and approves major financial decisions across government ministries. It is chaired by the Finance Minister and includes other federal ministers and senior officials. The committee typically meets to review summaries submitted by different divisions and either approves, defers, or sends them back for revision.

What did the ECC decide on tobacco crop pricing?

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research submitted a summary on minimum indicative prices for the tobacco crop and revised cess rates for FY 2026-27. The ECC found the proposal needed stronger justification and deferred it. The ministry has been asked to resubmit the case with more detailed analysis.

What did the ECC approve on donkey meat and hide exports?

The ECC reviewed recommendations from a committee formed to address issues around exporting donkey meat and hides from the Gwadar Free Zone. It approved the proposal, subject to safeguards recommended by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. No further details on the safeguards were disclosed in the summary.

What did the ECC decide on gas supply to fertilizer plants?

The committee approved continued gas supply to FatimaFert and Agritech under the existing arrangement, extending it until September 30, 2026. The decision came from a summary submitted by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. This keeps the current supply terms in place without changes for now.

What funding did the ECC approve for the Daanish Schools Authority Fund?

The ECC approved PKR 5 billion in seed money for the Daanish Schools Authority Fund, submitted by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. The funds will be provided through a technical supplementary grant. They will be maintained under an endowment framework rather than spent directly.

What update did the ECC receive on the Pakistan Skills Impact Bond?

The committee reviewed progress on the Pakistan Skills Impact Bond, an initiative backed by a government guarantee. It set September 30, 2026 as the deadline for the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to share substantive progress. No further funding decision was made on this item.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, and Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan also attended, along with federal secretaries and senior officials from relevant ministries, divisions and regulatory authorities.