ECC takes action to stabilize essential commodity prices ahead of Ramadan

Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has instructed the Ministry of Industries and the Ministry of National Food Security to work with the National Price Monitoring Committee and present measures within two weeks to maintain strategic reserves of wheat, sugar, and pulses.

This directive aims to improve supply chains of essential items ahead of Ramadan, a statement noted.

The ECC also urged Provincial Price Control Committees to enforce strict price control measures to curb cartelization and prevent unfair profiteering, ensuring essential commodities remain affordable for Pakistani consumers.

The meeting, chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, began with a review of inflation trends. It was noted that inflation decreased significantly to 7.2% during the first half of FY2025, compared to 28.8% during the same period last year.

December 2025 saw inflation at 4.1%, a sharp drop from 29.7% in December 2024, marking the lowest rate in 80 months due to exchange rate stability, prudent fiscal management, and improved supply arrangements.

Despite the positive trends, the ECC expressed concerns over rising prices of sugar, vegetables, and edible oil, highlighting the need for the reduced inflation to benefit the common man.

The ECC approved several measures, including amendments to the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) 2021 to prevent revenue leakages while not disrupting compliant exporters.

This includes reducing input utilization periods, input authorization based on production capacity, replacing insurance guarantees with bank guarantees, and ensuring the utilization of imported input in exported goods.

Additionally, the ECC approved a technical supplementary grant of PKR 2.79 billion for arms and ammunition procurement and for engaging Nespak as a design consultant for Digital Enforcement Stations (DES) and check posts.

Another proposal by the Ministry of Interior for a grant of PKR 494.56 million to Frontier Corps KP (North) for constructing barracks and check posts was also approved.

A proposal for a TSG of PKR 1.792 billion for the Reko Diq project was directed to be resubmitted with clear visibility on the grant's intended use. Amendments to a mediation agreement related to KE's tariff differential subsidy claims were also approved.

Finally, a proposal from the Intelligence Bureau Division for a TSG of PKR 500 million was approved. The ECC reiterated its commitment to ensuring the availability of essential commodities at affordable prices for the people of Pakistan.