The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Tuesday approved multiple grants aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s security, defence, and strategic sectors. The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, included federal ministers, special assistants to the prime minister, secretaries, and senior officials from relevant divisions.
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According to the finance ministry, the ECC approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs100.3 million for maintenance of defence equipment used by federal civil armed forces, Rs841.56 million for enhanced border management and internal security, and Rs50 billion for defence services projects. Additionally, the committee decided to establish a special purpose vehicle with an initial paid-up capital of Rs1 million to oversee the winding up of the Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation.
ECC Approves Major Grants & Key Reforms for Security, Defence & Energy Sectors
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved several strategic grants and reforms aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s security… pic.twitter.com/hTpwNv03OV
— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) November 18, 2025
The ECC also approved measures to incentivise foreign participation in offshore oil and gas exploration, including licence extensions and working interest assignments. These initiatives form part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen national security, food security, and petroleum sector operations.
Pakistan’s Economic Reforms Gaining Global Attention
Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met today with a high-level Dialog Global leadership delegation led by Amb. Ali Jehangir Siddiqui and featuring global leaders from the UK, Austria,… pic.twitter.com/sAamYJGtz9
— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) November 18, 2025
Separately, Finance Minister Aurangzeb met a delegation representing Dialog, a network founded by tech entrepreneurs Peter Thiel and Auren Hoffman. The delegation included high-profile figures such as UK House of Lords member Simon Stevens, Austrian MP Veit Valentin Dengler, Jigsaw CEO Yasmin Green, and Xbox-Microsoft Vice President Fatima Kardar. During the meeting, the minister highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms, including tax restructuring, energy sector improvements, privatisation of state-owned enterprises, and rationalisation of federal expenditures.
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Aurangzeb also emphasised plans to broaden the tax base using technology and AI-based monitoring, integrate under-taxed sectors such as real estate and agriculture, implement contributory pension schemes for new entrants, and enhance governance in electricity distribution companies. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to competitive tariffs, fiscal sustainability, and increased private-sector participation.