ECC approves Rs2.8 billion grant for child vaccination programme

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet has approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs2.8 billion for the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) to support the country’s child vaccination programme.

The approval was granted on a summary moved by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, according to details shared after an ECC meeting held at the Finance Division. The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb.

The committee was informed that the FDI is a key national programme focused on immunising more than eight million children against diseases that can be prevented through vaccination. The approved grant will help sustain pooled procurement of vaccines and syringes, and support the Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform (CCEOP) in coordination with the provinces.

Other approvals by the ECC

During the same meeting, the ECC also cleared a summary submitted by the Commerce Division regarding amendments to the Import Policy Order (IPO), 2022 for the import of areca nut, or betel nut, which was described as a widely consumed commodity with considerable commercial importance in the domestic market.

According to the details presented to the committee, the revised framework has been introduced with the approval of the prime minister. It includes pre-shipment inspection and stronger regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with phytosanitary and food safety standards, reduce disputes, and facilitate trade in line with international best practices.

The ECC further approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs306 million for the Airports Security Force (ASF) under the Defence Division. The amount is meant to meet essential obligations, including payments under the Prime Minister’s Assistance Package, encashment of Leave Preparation Reserve (LPR), and travelling and daily allowances.

In addition, the committee approved a summary submitted by the Federal Education and Professional Training Division for the allocation of Rs2 billion through a technical supplementary grant.

The ECC noted that these funds had been generated through adjustment within the Public Sector Development Programme.

The decisions were taken as part of the committee’s review of financial and administrative summaries placed before it by different divisions.