The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved a Rs. 100 billion allocation for the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund to help stabilize petroleum prices and protect consumers from potential international fuel market fluctuations.
The decision, chaired by Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, involves reallocating funds from the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) through rationalization and surrender by various ministries. Officials said the move ensures minimal disruption to ongoing projects while creating fiscal space to meet price differential requirements for petroleum products.
In addition, the ECC approved the procurement of up to 1 million metric tonnes of wheat for federal strategic reserves under the Interim National Wheat Policy (INWP) 2025-26. The wheat will be acquired via a competitive private-sector process to strengthen reserves, balance market stability, and support farmers, with flexibility to adjust procurement based on crop assessments and market conditions.
The meeting saw participation from Jam Kamal Khan, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, and Rana Tanveer Hussain, along with federal secretaries and senior officials from relevant ministries and regulatory bodies.
The ECC emphasized that both initiatives—fuel price support and strategic wheat procurement—are part of broader measures to safeguard consumers, ensure food security, and maintain economic stability amid evolving global and domestic challenges.
