ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday approved an additional Rs2.1 billion budget for procuring bullet-proof vehicles to ensure the safe transport of schoolchildren in Balochistan, according to a Finance Ministry statement. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, sanctioned the supplementary allocation after reviewing a proposal from the Defence Division.
The funds will be used to acquire 38 bullet-proof coasters for students attending Army Public Schools (APS) in Balochistan. These schools, catering to children of military personnel and civilians, have been targeted in past attacks, including the 2014 APS tragedy in Peshawar, which claimed 144 lives. The allocation is over and above the Rs2.55 trillion regular defence budget.
In the same session, the ECC approved Rs167.5 million in rewards for the Pakistan Under-19 Men’s Cricket Team for winning the U-19 Asia Cup, giving Rs10 million to each player and Rs2.5 million to match officials. Finance Minister Aurangzeb emphasized that such recognition encourages young talent on international platforms.
The ECC also paid tribute to former Finance Minister and State Bank Governor Dr Shamshad Akhtar, acknowledging her contributions to economic governance and policy reforms.
