On Tuesday, the Cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved a Rs. 32.5 billion package for the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) transformation, including procuring 1,087 vehicles for field officers nationwide.
The ECC sanctioned a technical supplementary grant of Rs. 1.317 billion for the Election Commission of Pakistan and an additional Rs. 17 billion for the Department of Postal Services. This funding underscores the government’s commitment to supporting key national institutions and improving their service delivery capabilities.
The meeting, led by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, also focused on streamlining governmental functions. The ECC approved the use of the vehicles for field formation officers up to grades 17 and 18, emphasizing that these vehicles are strictly for operational purposes to facilitate mobility.
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The cost of acquiring these vehicles for the FBR is estimated at Rs. 5.6 billion, reflecting a strategic investment in bolstering the capabilities of field officers. Furthermore, the ECC responded to a funding request from the Election Commission of Pakistan, approving Rs. 1.317 billion to support local elections in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Islamabad, as well as by-elections in Punjab for the fiscal year 2024-25.
The committee also advanced five additional summaries under the FBR’s transformation initiative, which the Prime Minister previously green-lit. These summaries address critical areas within the FBR’s scope, enhancing the department’s ability to effectively manage and execute its duties.
Additionally, the ECC reviewed and approved a proposal from the Ministry of Communications (Postal Services Wing) for a technical supplementary grant. This grant, totalling Rs. 16.995 billion, is allocated for settling verified pending liabilities of the Pakistan Post Office and its partnering institutions/agencies, ensuring the continuation of seamless postal services across the country.
