ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top economic body announced on Tuesday it has approved a grant of Rs841.56 million ($2.97 million) to support border control operations, internal security and maintenance of law and order amid surging attacks in the country.
The development takes place as Pakistan suffers a surge in militant attacks in recent months. Last week, a suicide bomber carried out an attack at a district court in Islamabad, killing 12 people and injuring 36. The incident took place a day after militants stormed a cadet college in northwestern town of Wana before security forces repelled them.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, met at the Finance Division to discuss the proposals and gave approvals to various grants requested by Pakistani ministries.
“On another summary submitted by the Ministry of Interior & Narcotics Control, the Committee approved an additional Rs 841.56 million as TSG to support border control operations, internal security, and maintenance of law and order by the Federal Civil Armed Forces,” the Finance Division said.
The committee also approved a Rs100.3 million [$355,000] grant on the request of the Ministry of Interior & Narcotics Control for the maintenance and repair of defense equipment utilized by the Federal Civil Armed Forces, and approved Rs50 billion [$177 million] for approved projects of the Defense Services.
The body also discussed a summary by the Petroleum Division about the extension of license periods and assignment of working interest for offshore oil and gas exploration blocks.
“The committee approved the set of proposals aimed at incentivizing and facilitating greater participation of foreign companies in Pakistan’s petroleum exploration sector,” the statement said.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan government to rein in militants it alleges operate from its soil and carry out attacks against Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban deny the allegations and urge Pakistan to resolve its security challenges internally.
Islamabad also accuses New Delhi of arming and funding and backing militant groups in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan. India denies the allegations and accuses Pakistan of stoking militancy in the part of disputed Kashmir that it administers.
