The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet approved a supplementary grant of Rs45 billion for defense and a 122% increase in the maximum retail price (MRP) of anti-rabies vaccines for public hospitals on Thursday.
During the meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the ECC also authorized a special allowance equivalent to 20 daily allowances for Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) personnel and another supplementary grant to support the country’s participation in the upcoming UN climate change conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan.
The meeting included ministers for industries and power, as well as the state minister for revenue. The Ministry of National Health Services briefed the ECC on a shortage of anti-rabies vaccines at the Federal General Hospital Chak Shahzad in Islamabad. The vaccine, produced by the National Institute of Health (NIH), was previously priced at Rs891.65.
In the market, the WHO-approved rabies vaccine was sold at Rs2,126.40, while the non-WHO-approved version was priced at Rs1,266.14. To address the shortage, the ECC approved an increase in the MRP of the NIH-produced rabies vaccine to Rs1,980 per vial (0.5ml per dose), enabling the institute to cover the cost of imported materials and maintain adequate supplies for public hospitals.
The committee also agreed to raise the special allowance for ANF employees to match that of other federal law enforcement agencies. The meeting noted that ANF salaries were significantly lower compared to those in similar roles, despite facing similar risks. This allowance increase, totaling Rs264.744 million, will be included in the current fiscal year’s budget.
Additionally, the ECC approved a Rs45 billion supplementary grant proposed by the defense division for various pre-approved defense projects for the current fiscal year. This follows a previous approval of about Rs60 billion in supplementary grants for Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, in addition to the annual defense budget allocated in late June.
The ECC also sanctioned a Rs150 million grant from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination for COP29, which will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22. The meeting emphasized Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change impacts and its active engagement in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP29 will provide an opportunity for Pakistan to showcase its domestic climate initiatives, including renewable energy projects and disaster risk reduction efforts.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Interprovincial Coordination proposed a Rs400 million grant for the 14th edition of the South Asian Games, set to be held in Pakistan next April. However, the ECC decided to defer approval, requesting the ministry to resubmit a more comprehensive proposal, including detailed cost estimates and funding strategies through sponsorships and government support.
