ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, presided over a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet today at the Finance Division. The session focused on addressing fiscal requirements for state-owned enterprises and essential infrastructure development across the country.

The ECC evaluated a proposal from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding the provision of a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) for the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC) for the financial year 2026–27. In a bid to streamline institutional operations, the committee approved the release of funds in quarterly installments of Rs 3.25 billion. This financial support is intended to assist PTVC in covering its operational and mandatory running expenditures. Furthermore, the committee mandated the ministry to return within two months with a robust, long-term financial sustainability plan for the organization, reflecting broader efforts for institutional reform as outlined in recent directives to improve organizational efficiency and governance.

Infrastructure Development and Sovereign Guarantees

In addition to administrative grants, the ECC addressed critical infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity. The committee reviewed a summary from the Ministry of Communications and granted approval for the issuance of Sovereign Guarantees totaling Rs 27.62 billion for the Sialkot (Sambrial) – Kharian Motorway (M-12) project. The project is being developed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis, a model vital for infrastructure progress akin to recent initiatives aimed at upgrading public amenities and national infrastructure.

The ECC also authorized the rollover of an existing Operational Viability Gap Funding (VGF) amounting to Rs 6.944 billion. These guarantees are designed to facilitate the Concessionaire in reaching financial closure for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, ensuring the venture adheres to the newly approved financing structure. This move is part of the government’s ongoing strategy to bolster governance and sustainable development through targeted capital allocation.

The meeting was attended by a high-level delegation, including Federal Minister for Commerce Mr. Jam Kamal Khan, Federal Minister for Investment Mr. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Federal Minister for Petroleum Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan. Several federal secretaries and senior representatives from various ministries and regulatory bodies were also present to provide technical oversight.