Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) Approves Funds for New VVIP Aircraft for Prime Minister’s Fleet and Recommends Regulating Camera-Equipped Smart Glasses; Approves Rs 54 Billion Supplementary Defense Grants
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved essential funding to buy a new aircraft for the VVIP fleet of the prime minister, and has also recommended formal regulations in the provinces and in Islamabad on the use and import of camera-equipped smart glasses.
The ECC approved Rs 54 billion for critical defense projects as an additional allocation from the Ministry of Finance according to the official communique. This comprises an airl-1000 aircraft procurement amount of Rs 1.094 billion, Project Istiqlal amount of Rs 29.139 billion and Rs 3.71 million for repair and maintenance of helicopters of Balochistan Frontier Corps. The committee has also approved structural changes to the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme.
The ECC Decisions and Financial Approvals will outline the following key highlights:
The transfer of Austerity Savings: The committee approved the transfer of Rs 15.62 billion saved through the strict measures of the government austerity and fuel conservation programme into the Prime Minister’s fund to support the austerity.
Water Projects and Fertilizer Support: Extra approvals are a significant supplement of Rs 275 billion for key national water projects and gas supplies to two gas fertilizer manufacturing plants till December 31.
Smart Glasses Regulations: In recognition of the new privacy and security issues raised by these smart glasses, the ECC proposed to develop strong provincial and federal regulations on smart glasses with cameras.