Islamabad: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Monday approved a supplementary grant of Rs6.6 billion for the purchase of 30 bulletproof vehicles for the movement of heads of state during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be hosted by Pakistan in September 2027.

The ECC meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, considered a request from the Cabinet Division for Rs12.6bn to purchase more than 50 bulletproof vehicles for the summit.

After deliberation, the committee approved Rs6.6bn for 30 vehicles. It directed the Cabinet Division to conduct an in-depth assessment of any further requirement and return with an additional request if necessary.

The meeting also considered a proposal from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research regarding minimum indicative prices for the tobacco crop and revised cess rates for 2026-27. The ECC found the justifications insufficient and deferred the matter, directing the ministry to resubmit the proposal with further details.

The committee approved the continuation of gas supplies to Fatima Fertiliser and Agritech until September 30 under the existing arrangement. The decision was taken to support fertiliser production amid the non-availability of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The ECC also approved the export of donkey meat and hides from the Gwadar Free Zone, along with the required safeguards. The proposal was submitted by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research following recommendations from a committee formed to address issues related to the matter.

Separately, the committee approved a Rs5bn supplementary grant as seed money for the Daanish Schools Authority Fund. The funding will be maintained under the Endowment framework following a request from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

The ECC also reviewed progress on the Pakistan Skills Impact Bond (PSIB). It set September 30, 2026, as the deadline for the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to provide substantive progress on the initiative, for which the government of Pakistan guarantee had been extended.

The decisions were taken as part of the ECC's review of financial, food security, energy and skills-related proposals.