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In an unprecedented move, the federal government has opted to conceal the proceedings of a significant economic decision-making body, the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet.
Traditionally, the Finance Division discloses major ECC decisions to the public through press releases following meetings.
However, insider sources informed ProPakistani that the current Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, directed against issuing a press release after the initial ECC gathering. This trend persisted into subsequent ECC meetings, with no public disclosure from the Ministry.
During the ECC session on April 4, 2024, it was disclosed that approval had been granted for several supplementary grants totaling Rs. 24 billion. These grants aimed to address outstanding liabilities and backlogs resulting from impractical annual allocations.
Read More: Pakistan Business Confidence Shaky: 73% Doubt New Government’s Ability
The sanctioned grants included an additional Rs. 7 billion subsidy for Gilgit-Baltistan residents, Rs. 4.1 billion to settle SME Bank employees’ liabilities, and Rs. 5 billion for subsidized wheat flour and cooking oil supply.
Further allocations comprised Rs. 1.6 billion to clear media houses’ outstanding dues, Rs. 3.8 billion for foreign loans covering Higher Education Commission expenses, Rs. 1.7 billion for Passport Office employees abroad, Rs. 300 million for Pakistan Rangers’ uniform procurement, and Rs. 433 million for a new battalion for Pakistan Coast Guards. Additionally, Rs. 103 million was approved for the Frontier Corps Balochistan to repair a VVIP’s helicopter.
Moreover, the government recently pledged to the IMF not to issue any more supplementary grants.
It is pertinent to note that the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed a strict ban on all FBR officers and officials, including Members, from engaging with media personnel (both print and electronic) on any matter.