ECC allocates Rs10b to prevent cybersecurity breaches

Staff Report

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the allocation of Rs. 10 billion to prevent cybersecurity breaches.

The Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, chaired a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet today.

The ECC approved a proposal from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication regarding the “Allocation of Rs. 10 billion through Technical Supplementary Grant during CFY for the Digital Information Infrastructure Initiative.”

These funds will be used to enhance technical capabilities to identify potential cyber threats on the national critical information infrastructure and prevent cybersecurity breaches.Pakistan Notifies Rules to Combat Cyber Threats

Additionally, the ECC approved the Petroleum Division’s proposal for the “Re-grant of Sui Development and Production Lease,” following the endorsement of the proposal by the provincial government of Balochistan.

A summary from the Ministry of Maritimes Affairs regarding the “Revised Fee of Issuance of Certificate of Quality and Origin and Other Certificates for Fish and Fishery Products under Pakistan Fish Inspection and Quality Control Rules, 1998” was also approved, with instructions to explore further investment opportunities.

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research’s summary regarding the “Extension of Farm Mechanization Scheme of Kissan Package” was approved after a detailed discussion.

Furthermore, the ECC discussed and approved an amendment proposed by the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) regarding the “Urea Fertilizer Requirement for Rabi Season 2023-24” without any subsidy implications.

The ECC also considered a summary from the Ministry of Energy regarding the “Deed of settlement Under the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023- for upgradation of Existing/Brownfield Refineries.” It noted the appropriateness of the settlement proposal suggested by the Finance Division.

Finally, three summaries from the Petroleum Division concerning “Supply of Gas/RLNG to Fatimafert and Agritech to meet the requirement of Urea,” “Allocation of Gas from M/s United Energy Pakistan’s Mohar Field to SSGCL,” and “Allocation of Condensate to Attock Refinery Limited and its Freight Charges Adjustment through Inter Freight Equalization Mechanism” were approved after thorough deliberations.