Tag: ECC

  • ECC approves TASA for outsourcing three airports

    ECC approves TASA for outsourcing three airports

    Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Thursday approved a draft Transaction Advisory Agreement (TASA) for outsourcing three airports.

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  • Pakistan defers increase in medicine prices

    Pakistan defers increase in medicine prices

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday announced to defer increase in medicine prices. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) postponed summaries which were provided by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.

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  • ECC approves Rs10 million for medical treatment of Jan Sher Khan

    ECC approves Rs10 million for medical treatment of Jan Sher Khan

    Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved an amount of Rs10 million for medical treatment of former world Squash Champion Jan Sher Khan.

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  • Pakistan approves sharp increase in gas prices for IMF bailout package

    Pakistan approves sharp increase in gas prices for IMF bailout package

    Pakistan on Monday approved massive increase in natural gas prices ahead of final round of talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

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  • ECC allows release of Rs10 billion subsidy, bank guarantee for LNG

    ECC allows release of Rs10 billion subsidy, bank guarantee for LNG

    ISLAMABAD: Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) on Tuesday allowed release of Rs10 billion as subsidy and government bank guarantee up to Rs50 billion for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

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  • Pakistan purchases 450,000 metric tons wheat from Russia

    Pakistan purchases 450,000 metric tons wheat from Russia

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is purchasing of 450,000 metric tons wheat from Russia as country’s economic coordination committee approved a bid of a Russian company.

    The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet met on Monday which was presided over by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

    READ MORE: Saudi Arabia extends term of $3 billion deposit for Pakistan

    Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmud, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi MNA/Ex-PM, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Ayesha Ghous Pasha, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha, SAPM on Government Effectiveness Dr. Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan, Federal Secretaries and other senior officers attended the meeting in person while Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Masood Malik, Coordinator to PM on Commerce and Industry Rana Ihsan Afzal and Governor SBP, MD PASSCO joined the meeting through Zoom.

    READ MORE: Pakistan exports plunge 18.34pc in November 2021

    Ministry of National Food Security and Research submitted a summary on Award of 7th International Wheat Tender 2022 opened on November 30, 2022.

    Keeping in view results of 7th International tender and G2G offer, the ECC approved the lowest bid from M/s Cereal Crop Trading LLC at $ 372/MT for supply of 130,000 MT at Karachi ports for the shipment period from 16th December, 2022 8th February, 2023.

    READ MORE: SBP foreign exchange reserves fall to $7.5 billion

    The ECC also granted approval of the offer of M/s Prodintorg , Russia on Government to Government (G2G) basis at $ 372 /MT for supply of 450,000 MT at Gwadar Port for shipment period from 1st February, 2023 to 31st March, 2023.

    It was decided that any additional cost on inland transportation from Gwadar Port will be borne by PASSCO to be recovered from provinces at the time of release of wheat stock.

    READ MORE: Pakistan slaps 5pc regulatory duty on yarn import

    The ECC also approved proposal of Finance Ministry to change the title of the revolving fund account for CPEC Independent Power Producers from “Pakistan Energy Revolving Fund” to “Pakistan Energy Revolving Account”.

  • Pakistan slaps 5pc regulatory duty on yarn import

    Pakistan slaps 5pc regulatory duty on yarn import

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday slapped regulatory duty at 5 per cent on the import of filament yarns.

    The 5 per cent regulatory duty would be imposed on filament Yarns falling in Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) of 5402.3300, 5402.4600, 5402.4700, 5402.5200 and 5402.6200.

    The decision has been taken at a meeting of Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) which was presided over by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

    READ MORE: PYMA urges government not to impose regulatory duty on yarn

    Ministry of Commerce submitted a summary on Individual Tariff Rationalization proposal from different sectors for review of Regulatory Duties (RDs). The ECC after discussion approved the proposal to reduce RD on Disodium Carbonate (PCT – 2836.2000) from current rate of 20 per cent to 10 per cent and imposed RD at rate of 5 per cent on filament Yarns (PCT 5402.3300, 5402.4600, 5402.4700, 5402.5200 and 5402.6200).

    Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema, Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmud, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi MNA/Ex-PM, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Coordinator to PM on Commerce and Industry Rana Ihsan Afzal, Federal Secretaries, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other senior officers attended the meeting.

    READ MORE: ECC approves raising petroleum levy to Rs50 per liter on RON 95

    Finance Division submitted a summary on launch of Credit Guarantee Scheme under Credit Guarantee Trust Fund through Second Supplemental Trust Deed.

    It was presented that Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Company Limited (PMRC) has been setup as a joint initiative of the government of Pakistan and Commercial Banks/Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to provide medium and long term funding to primary mortgage lenders by raising from the capital debt market at cheaper rates.

    PMRC being the trustee launched a scheme titled, Credit Guarantee Trust Scheme under the First Supplemental Trust Deed.

    To expand the provision of risk cover to FIs against financing in housing sector, the WB approved an additional credit line to the government of Pakistan for housing finance project which may be passed on to Credit Guarantee Trust Fund.

    READ MORE: Petroleum sales decrease by 22% in four months of 2022-2023

    In view of above, the ECC allowed to launch a new scheme titled, Credit Guarantee Trust Scheme for low income housing through Second Supplemental Trust Deed with an amount of $85 million to be obtained from the World Bank (WB) to provide risk cover to financing institutions against their financing in housing sector.

    Ministry of National Food Security and Research submitted a summary on fixation and notification of Minimum Indicative Prices of Tobacco Crop 2023. After detailed deliberation, the ECC approved minimum indicative prices for various types of tobacco for different areas for 2023 tobacco crop as under: S. No Types of Tobacco Minimum Indicative prices for 2023 Crop (Rs. Per Kg) 1. Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) i. Plain Area ii. Sub-mountainous Area 310 351 2. Dark Air-Cured Tobbaco (DAC) 190 3 White Patta 146 4. Burley 223 5. Naswar/ Snuff/Hookah and other Rustica tobacco and its products 146 6.

    Sun Cured Virginia (SCV) 200 Power Division submitted a summary on Uniform tariff for K-electric. It was submitted that KE applicable uniform variable charge is required to be modified to maintain the uniform tariff across the country with category wise increases including general supply tariff – residential, general supply tariff – commercial, industrial supply tariff, bulk supply tariff, agriculture tariff, and public lighting with recovery period of four months.

    READ MORE: K-Electric posts huge losses despite 144% jump in tariff adjustment revenue

    It was also shared such adjustment shall be applicable on the consumption from October 2022 to January 2023 to be recovered from consumers in December 2022 to March 2023, respectively.

    The ECC after deliberation approved this proposal. Power Division submitted another summary on settlement of payables to Government Owned Power Plants at par with IPPS. The ECC approved Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 93.438 billion in three tranches of Rs. 31.146 billion each.

    The ECC discussed summary submitted by Ministry of National Food Security and Research submitted on Kissan Package-2022 and approved base tariff for electric tube wells at Rs. 13/kWH from Rs. 16.60/kWH, providing relief to farmers of Rs. 3.60/kWH effective from November 01, 2022 to compensate the damage caused by the floods and heavy rains.

    Ministry of Information and Broadcasting submitted a summary for allocation of budget to launch comprehensive media awareness campaign on government initiatives, programmes and projects. The ECC after detailed discussion approved Supplementary Grant of Rs. 2 billion for flood related media campaigns.

    ECC approved Rs. 15 billion in favour of Election Commission of Pakistan for Current Financial Year 2022-23. Out of Rs. 15 billion, Rs. 5 billion will be released immediately while the balance will be released in tranches on utilization of the first tranche.

    The ECC also approved Technical Supplementary Grant amounting to Rs. 162.521 million in favour of Ministry of Housing and Works in addition to approving Rs. 250 million for execution of development scheme titled “Construction of Railway underpass, Gojra, District Toba Tek Singh” and Rs. 144.210 million for execution of development schemes in District D.I. Khan.

  • ECC approves raising petroleum levy to Rs50 per liter on RON 95

    ECC approves raising petroleum levy to Rs50 per liter on RON 95

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on Friday approved increasing petroleum levy to Rs50 per liter on RON 95.

    Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar presided over the meeting of the ECC at Finance Division.

    READ MORE: Petroleum sales decrease by 22% in four months of 2022-2023

    Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) presented a summary on increase in rate of Sales Tax on HOBC. It was conveyed that the rates of Sales Tax on POL products were reduced to zero from February 01, 2022, that put pressure on FBR’s efforts to achieve its revenue targets.

    Therefore, the ECC after deliberation allowed to increase petroleum levy from Rs 30 up to Rs. 50/Liter on RON 95 and above with effect from November 16, 2022, which is a luxury good being consumed by wealthy consumers in expensive vehicles.

    READ MORE: K-Electric posts huge losses despite 144% jump in tariff adjustment revenue

    Federal Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi MNA/ex-PM, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Aisha Ghous Pasha, Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Masood Malik, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Pasha, Federal Secretaries, Chairman FBR and other senior officers attended the meeting.

    READ MORE: OGDCL announces huge oil discovery at Attock

    Ministry of energy (Petroleum Division) submitted a summary on High Speed Diesel/ Gas oil premium and informed that due to difference of premium on import of HSD for importing OMCs and PSO, there is an unsustainable position for importing OMCs and smooth supply of HSD in the country. In order to ensure sustained supply/import security, the ECC after detailed discussion allowed premium on HSD subject to maximum capping at US$ 15/BBL for importing OMCs other than PSO for the months of November and December, 2022.

    The ECC also approved Technical Supplementary Grants of Rs. 5 billion for conduct of 7th population census.

    READ MORE: Electricity withholding tax not applicable on ATL domestic consumers

  • ECC approves grant for salary disbursement to PSM employees

    ECC approves grant for salary disbursement to PSM employees

    ISLAMABAD: Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Thursday approved a grant for disbursement of Rs1.38 billion of projected salary to employees of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).

    The ECC considered and approved a summary of Ministry of Industries & Production (MoIP) and allowed the payment of projected net salary of Rs1.378 billion for the Financial Year 2022-2023 to be disbursed every month to Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) employees through a technical supplementary grant.

    READ MORE: ECC approves clearance of banned items landed till August 18, 2022

    This decision will ensure the disbursement of monthly salaries to the employees.

    This was approved in ECC of Cabinet meeting Chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

    Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema, Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Syed Murtaza Mehmood, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi MNA/ex-PM, Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Masood Malik, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, Coordinator to PM on Commerce and Industry Rana Ihsan Afzal, Federal Secretaries and senior officers attended the meeting.

    READ MORE: USC to disburse ration bags worth Rs540 million to flood victims

    Ministry of Commerce presented a summary on amendment in Import Policy Order 2022 to allow import of the Holy Quran subject to NOC from the relevant Federal or the Provincial Authority.

    The summary was presented in the light of the directions of the honourable Lahore High court and Baluchistan High court directing the Federal and Provincial authorities to ensure only error-free printing, publishing, recording and import of copies of the Holy Quran. The proposed amendment of import of the Holy Quean was subject to NOC. The ECC after discussion approved the proposal.

    The ECC also approved another summary of Ministry of Commerce seeking amendment in the earlier decision of the ECC dated 25-07-2022 on Regionally Competitive Energy Rates for Export Oriented Sectors during FY 2022-23 and allowed amendment that “the electricity tariff will be effective from 1st August, 2022, whereas RLNG tariff will be effective from 1st July, 2022.”

    READ MORE: Pakistan State Oil gets Rs30 billion to avoid default

    The ECC considered a summary of Petroleum Division and allowed to grant a Development and Production Lease (D&PL) for (15) fifteen years w.e.f 15-01-2022 over Kandhkot Mining Lease area on existing Gas Price and subject to the condition that M/s PPL will pay all the financial obligations in accordance with Petroleum Policy 2012.

    Kandhkot discovery was made by PPL in 1959. The Government granted the mining lease over Kandhkot Gas field for a period of 30 years in 1962 which was renewed for further thirty years in 1992.

    Petroleum Division submitted another summary on revival of revoked petroleum exploration licenses. It was informed that (11) eleven exploration licenses were revoked due to non performance of work commitment and non-payment of financial obligations by various exploration & production companies.

    In all the eleven blocks, status quo order was passed by the respective Civil Courts, Islamabad and Sindh High Courts. It is pertinent to mention that the litigant companies have approached the government and shown keen interest in exploration of the blocks awarded. In order to resolve this longstanding issue of litigation, which has resulted in halting of exploration and production activities in some of the respective blocks of the country, Petroleum Division has developed a framework for revival of revoked licenses through out of court settlement.

    The ECC after detail discussion approved the proposed framework.

    READ MORE: Pakistan decides to lift ban on imported goods

    The ECC approved another summary of Petroleum Division for change of effective control from M/s Eni ULX Limited, M/s Eni UK Limited and M/s Eni Oil Holdings B.V, in respect of its subsidiary companies i-e M/s ENI Pakistan Limited , ENI

    Pakistan (AEP) Limited and ENI Pakistan (M) Limited , respectively to M/s Prime International Oil & Gas Company Limited (PIOGCL) subject to condition that PIOGCL shall be liable to the Government for all the minimum work commitments and financial obligations and Government’s revenue s will not be adversely affected after this change of effective control.

    Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination presented a summary on proposal for increase in Maximum Retail Price (MRPs) of Paracetamol products. The ECC approved following agreed price of Paracetamol products.

    DescriptionProduct Current Price (Rs.)Demand Price (Rs.)Agreed Price (Rs.)
    Plain 500mg1.872.672.35
    Extra 500mg2.193.322.75
    Liquid104.8117.6117.6

    The ECC also approved Technical Supplementary Grants of Rs. 30,888.5 million in favour of Defence Division and Rs. 1000 Million for Ministry of Housing and Works.

  • ECC approves clearance of banned items landed till August 18, 2022

    ECC approves clearance of banned items landed till August 18, 2022

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved the customs clearance of banned items, which landed till August 18, 2022.

    Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail virtually presided over the meeting of the ECC. Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Syed Murtaza Mehmmod, Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Abdul Qadir Patel, MNA/ex-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Aisha Ghous Pasha, Coordinator to the PM on Economy Bilal Azhar Kayani, Chairman NDMA, Chairman FBR, Federal Secretaries and senior officers attended the meeting.

    READ MORE: USC to disburse ration bags worth Rs540 million to flood victims

    The ECC considered a summary of Ministry of Commerce on clearance of stuck up consignments in light of office memorandum dated 22 July, 2022, 19 August, 2022 and 23 August, 2022 issued by Ministry of Commerce.

    The ECC approved the proposal and directed that the consignments of previously banned items that landed in Pakistan till August 18, 2022 may be released at the rate of surcharge.

    Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination presented a summary for exemption of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) from Custom Duty and Additional Custom Duty.

    READ MORE: Pakistan State Oil gets Rs30 billion to avoid default

    The ECC after discussion directed Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination to withdraw the summary and submit a fresh summary to rationalize price of paracetamol to ensure its availability.

    The summary presented by Ministry of National Food Security and Research regarding import of Wheat through Gwadar sea port was deferred by ECC.

    National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) presented a summary for allocation of funds for procurement and logistics of relief items for flood affectees and apprised about devastation caused by the recent floods in Pakistan. In order to provide immediate relief to the flood affectees, NDMA started procurement on emergency basis costing Rs. 2.4 billion.

    READ MORE: Pakistan decides to lift ban on imported goods

    Due to colossal damages, the already procured items are not sufficient viz-a-viz relief requirement in the flood affected areas.

    Therefore, NDMA placed orders for procurement of more items at cumulative cost of Rs. 7.113 billion, which are being procured in emergency to provide relief to affectees. Previously, NDMA was allocated Rs. 8 billion for procurement and logistics cost of relief items to the flood affectees.

    READ MORE: 15% surcharge imposed for clearance of banned items

    The amount was insufficient as the cost of only procurement has surpassed Rs. 9.5 billion. Besides procurement, NDMA is also undertaking logistics of all relief goods and materials provided by friendly countries.

    Foregoing in view, the ECC approved allocation of Rs. 10 billion to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with direction to the Finance Division to immediately release Rs. 5 billion to NDMA.