ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet has approved import of 100,000 metric tons of Sugar.

The ECC, which met in Islamabad Monday with Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin in the chair, also allowed extension of general subsidy on five essential items through Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan for 15 days from next month and constituted a committee to work out future course of action.

According to a press statement issued after the meeting, the ECC has approved a summary by Industries and Production Division for approval of tender opened on 25-06-2021 for import of 100,000 metric tons of Sugar. Regarding the proposal for Intervention Price for Cotton 2021-2022 Crop by National Food and Research Division,

The ECC constituted a committee to submit its report within 15 days. The ECC on a summary by Maritime Affairs Division directed Petroleum Division, Finance Division and PSO to provide a timeframe for payment of the outstanding dues to PNSC. On a summary about extension of general subsidy on five essential items through Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan from 1st July, the ECC allowed extension in subsidies for fifteen days from 1st July and constituted a committee to work out future course of action within 15 days.

The ECC on a summary by Power Division about payment of outstanding amount of net hydel profits – Power Division and Finance Division to come up with a possible solution/option for raising up required financing by WAPDA, within two weeks.

The ECC approved Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 10 million for Aviation Division and Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 73.870 millions in favour of NSSP, Lahore. Similarly the ECC approved Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 20.70 millions for Pakistan Academy for Rural Development, Peshawar and Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 1.00 billion for payment of Disparity Reduction Allowance to concerned offices.

The ECC approved Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 16.706 millions for Inter Provincial Coordination Division for payment to Federal Land Commission and approved Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 1012.176 millions for Interior Division for Frontier Corps Balochistan (South).

The ECC further approved Technical Supplementary Grant Rs. 1.6 billions for Department of Immigration and Passports, Ministry of Interior and Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 456.641 millions for Federal board of Revenue to pay off the pending liabilities of the project titled "Development of Integrated Transit Trade Management System".

The ECC approved Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs.2.0 billions for Foreign Affairs Division and Supplementary Grant of Rs. 8.0 billions for Textile Wing of Commerce Division. The ECC further approved Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 5800.00 millions for utilization of foreign aid of NDRMF projects, Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms.

Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar, Federal Minister for Power / Energy Hammad Azhar, Federal Minister for Privatization Muhammad Mian Soomro, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam, Advisor to Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr. Ishrat Hussain, SAPM on F&R, Federal Secretaries and relevant officers of concerned Divisions and Departments attended the meeting. NNI