The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet has approved over eight billion rupees for various projects.

The ECC, which met in Islamabad today with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in the chair, approved over 3.9 billion rupees for the Prime Minister Youth Skill Development Programme and the establishment of Danish Schools in Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan.

It allowed 160 million rupees for the repair and maintenance of the Prime Minister’s Office during the current fiscal year and 480 million rupees for recurring operational requirements of the Frontier Corps KP (North) Hospital at Shakas, District Khyber.

The ECC further nodded approval of 1.5 billion rupees for Prime Minister National Health Programme and 578.838 million rupees for the enhancement of monthly Subsistence Allowance for Jammu and Kashmir Refugees of 1989. The allowance will be enhanced from 3,500 rupees to 6,000 rupees per person with effect from February this year.

The ECC approved one billion rupees each for the Railways Division and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for allocation.

The Committee also granted in-principle approval for restructuring of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation through the sale of 30 percent shareholding and transfer of management control to the National Logistics Corporation.

It approved the National Policy to Realize Pakistan's Gemstone Potential 2026-2030. The policy aims to formalize the gemstone sector, promote value addition and modern mining practices, and enhance exports and regional economic development, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir.