The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the immediate release of Rs. 2 billion to procure non-sensitive materials for local government elections across Pakistan.

The amount was sanctioned against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) total funding requirement of Rs. 17.873 billion for the electoral exercise.

The funding will cover procurement for local government elections in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad Capital Territory, along with cantonment boards across the country.

The ECC approved the funds through a Technical Supplementary Grant during its meeting on Wednesday.

The committee separately approved Rs. 596.18 million for the reallocation and revalidation of surrendered funds. The amount will cover local government elections in Islamabad, local government bye-elections in Sindh and Balochistan, and delimitation work in Punjab.

The ECC also sanctioned Rs. 2 billion for the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to implement its approved business plan.

Another Rs. 11.329 billion was approved for the Utility Stores Corporation to meet its immediate financial requirements and facilitate completion of its closure process.

The committee further approved Rs. 8 billion for the Public Private Partnership Authority to support infrastructure projects under public-private partnership arrangements.