MQM-P's Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui added to Economic Coordination Committee

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the inclusion of Federal Education Minister and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui in the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday.

The PMO said the prime minister had approved an increase in the number of members of the committee. Siddiqui had now been made part of the federal cabinet’s key economic forum.

In the official statement, the prime minister expressed confidence in the MQM-P leader’s role on the committee.

“Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has been included as a member of the ECC. I am hopeful that Siddiqui will play an active role as a member of the ECC and contribute fully to the progress and development of the country and the nation,” the statement read.

Meeting with MQM-P delegation

The development came a day after an MQM-P delegation headed by Siddiqui met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and presented the party’s proposals for the upcoming federal budget.

According to the PMO, the meeting included detailed discussions on welfare-oriented and development schemes being implemented by the federal government in Sindh and Karachi. The overall political situation in the country also came under discussion.

The PMO said the prime minister described MQM-P as an important ally in the ruling coalition and said the party had consistently backed measures aimed at public welfare. He also directed the relevant authorities to examine the party’s budget proposals and prepare a practical and comprehensive plan for consideration.

Role and structure of the ECC

The ECC is regarded as the most important committee of the federal cabinet and deals with urgent economic matters. Its mandate includes coordination among government divisions on economic policy and financial issues, as well as recommending steps for national progress towards a welfare state.

The committee also reviews monetary and credit conditions and makes recommendations related to credit regulation with the stated aim of maximising production and exports while helping contain inflation.

Earlier in 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved changes to the structure of the ECC. Under the revised arrangement, the chairmanship of the committee was assigned to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. This differed from the traditional practice under which the finance minister would preside over meetings without a formal restructuring of roles.

Siddiqui’s inclusion in the ECC comes at a time when the government is engaging coalition partners ahead of the budget and consulting them on economic priorities as well as development-related matters, particularly those concerning Sindh and Karachi as discussed in the recent meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office.