ISLAMABAD-The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday for the second time has deferred the administrative and financing framework for the Karachi transformation package.
The ECC, which was chaired Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, has deferred the Karachi transformation package. Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced the Rs1.1 trillion package in the first week of September. However, the government could not give the necessary approvals for its execution. Earlier, on December 2, 2020, the ECC had deferred the approval till next meeting. But, the top economic decisions making body of the country has once again failed to approve the Karachi transformation package.
Out of Rs1.1 trillion, the federal government would contribute Rs739 billion and remaining Rs372 billion is the responsibility of the Sindh government. According to the ministry of finance, the Karachi Transformation Plan was postponed to the next ECC meeting.
The ECC approved Mobile Device Manufacturing and Electric Vehicles Policy (2-3 wheelers and HCDs) presented by the Ministry of Industries and Production. After due deliberation, the forum approved the removal of withholding tax of 4 per cent on manufacturing and retailers of locally manufactured phones to incentivise the sector. Moreover, removal of Sales Tax on locally manufactured phones was also approved in principle and modalities would be worked out in consultation with the Finance Division.
The ECC approved the following technical supplementary grants: a) Rs.219.300 million for the operationalisation of the newly established Isolation Hospital and Infections Treatment Centre, Islamabad. b) Rs.305.462 million to pay off Pakistan’s annual contribution to the World Health Organization (WHO). c) Rs.106.775 million to the ICT Administration for various projects d) Rs.706.82 million for FATA, temporarily displaced persons, Emergency Recovery Project, NADRA. e) Rs.278.091 million for Annual Contribution of Pakistan to UNFA, PPD & IPPF-FPAP for FY-2018-19, 2019-20 & 2020-21. f) Rs.53.10 million for procurement of medical equipment, machinery and medicines to combat COVID-19.
The Finance Secretary briefed the forum about the rationalisation of subsidies (phase-I). A detailed presentation was given by SAPM on Revenue focusing on Electricity, Food and National Savings during the first phase. The Chair appreciated the detailed plan for rationalization of subsidies, its various components and directed to present a comprehensive summary with concrete proposals suggesting a way forward before ECC. Priority Berthing for wheat and sugar imports was also discussed during the meeting. Minister for Maritime Affairs updated the forum about the latest position of wheat vessels and operations of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Qasim Authority (PQA) accordingly. The Chair directed that the Logistic Committee of the ECC would be chaired by the Minister for Maritime Affairs to workout SOPs ensuring all stakeholders including private sector are onboard regarding priority berthing.
Ministry of National Food Security and Research presented a summary for provision of additional quantities of wheat to the Government of AJ&K and Utility Stores Corporation. The Chair directed to provide the first load of the additional quantities to both AJ&K and USC on priority as an interim arrangement to ensure smooth supply of wheat across the country. The detailed proposal would be discussed in the next ECC meeting. ECC approved the new re-lending policy 2020 presented by Economic Affairs Division. The new re-lending policy will reflect the changes in the borrowing cost of the government, take into account variation in the exchange rate and pass on actual rates to the borrower for transparency. Other terms and stipulations, including concerning the recovery of commitment fee as in the policy in vogue, will continue to apply.
The ECC also accorded endorsement for issuance of offshore Pakistan Rupee (PKR) linked Bonds to the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This will help in the availability of financing to priority sectors, promote private sector investments and bring foreign exchange liquidity in the domestic foreign exchange market in the post-COVID-19 scenario.
Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, Minister for Economic Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser to the PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Ishrat Hussain, SAPM on Revenue Dr Waqar Masood, SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi, SAPM on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Dr Sania Nishtar, SAPM on Energy Tabish Gauhar, Federal Minister for Privatization Muhammad Mian Soomro and Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan participated in the meeting. Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr Reza Baqir joined the meeting through video link.
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