ECC Approves Rs1.09bn Executive Jet for Pakistan Army
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved Rs1.09 billion for a Lineage L-1000 executive jet for Pakistan Army. The grant was part of supplementary grants worth about Rs380 billion cleared at a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday.
The committee approved three summaries submitted by the Defence Division. The second of those summaries covered the jet: Rs1.094 billion for the induction of a Lineage L-1000 aircraft into the army fleet. An official statement said the approvals were aimed at meeting essential operational requirements and supporting national security priorities.
The other two defence summaries were far larger. One approved Rs54 billion under three heads of the Defence Services project, and the third allocated Rs29.139 billion for Project Istaqlal. Together, the three defence allocations came to Rs84.23 billion.
What the executive jet for Pakistan Army grant covers
The Rs54 billion Defence Services grant breaks down into more than Rs31 billion for the Special Security Divisions of North and South, Rs11.88 billion for various Pakistan Navy projects, and Rs10 billion for internal security duties and allowances. The Special Security Divisions guard the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and other sensitive sites.
The jet grant itself is the smallest of the three defence items. The Lineage L-1000 is the executive jet version of Embraer’s E190 regional aircraft, fitted out for VIP transport.
The ECC meeting also dealt with a long list of civilian items. It approved Rs3.71 billion for the Frontier Corps Balochistan (North), on a request from the Narcotics Control Division, to meet helicopter maintenance requirements. It transferred Rs15.625 billion in savings from austerity and fuel conservation measures to the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund 2026.
Water projects take the largest share
The biggest single item on the agenda was water. The ECC approved Rs275 billion in supplementary grants for five major water projects facing financial constraints: the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, the Mohmand Dam, the Greater Karachi Water Supply scheme known as K-IV, the Chashma Right Bank Canal and the Kacchi Canal.
The money will be released in stages, in line with the Water and Power Development Authority’s payment plan. The government had allocated about Rs103 billion for these projects in the 2026-27 budget, but Wapda had told a parliamentary panel that the funds were not enough.
The cost of the dams has risen sharply. Feature Pakistan reported that the cost of the three mega dams has soared to Rs3.5 trillion, up from Rs1.28 trillion, with Diamer-Bhasha alone now priced at Rs1.12 trillion. The federal government secured about Rs1.035 trillion in additional funds from the four provinces outside the National Finance Commission in June to meet strategic national requirements, including water and security.
The wider ECC package
The committee also allowed gas supply to continue to two Punjab-based fertiliser plants, Fatima and Agritech, until December 31, subject to availability. On a summary from the Commerce Division, it approved restrictions on the import of camera-enabled smart glasses. The ECC also relaxed the Exploration and Production Rules for 89 petroleum rights and approved Rs1 billion for village gasification near gas fields.
The decisions came alongside other cabinet-level action, with the prime minister ordering petrol pump licences cancelled and consumers still paying for a grid failure that added Rs400 billion to electricity bills.
Why the jet grant stands out
The jet is just over 1 per cent of the defence money approved on Wednesday, yet it is the item most likely to draw public attention: a luxury aircraft bought with public funds while the same meeting pressed austerity.
This is not the first time an ECC has approved money for official aircraft. Budget documents tabled in the National Assembly in 2022 showed Rs1.1 billion approved for two VVIP planes and their upkeep, including Rs800 million for the purchase of two Gulfstream aircraft and Rs300 million for maintenance. Those aircraft were for the use of the prime minister and the president.
The grant fits a wider defence build-up that includes Pakistan’s first home-made Faaz air-to-air missile. Dawn reported the ECC decisions on Wednesday.
Frequently asked questions
How much did the ECC approve for the executive jet?
Rs1.094 billion, for the induction of a Lineage L-1000 aircraft into the Pakistan Army fleet.
What is the Lineage L-1000?
It is the executive jet version of Embraer’s E190 regional aircraft, fitted out for VIP transport.
How much did the ECC approve in total?
Supplementary grants worth about Rs380 billion, including Rs275 billion for water projects and Rs84.23 billion for the armed forces.
Which water projects will receive the Rs275 billion?
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam, the Mohmand Dam, the Greater Karachi Water Supply scheme (K-IV), the Chashma Right Bank Canal and the Kacchi Canal.
What else did the ECC approve?
It approved Rs3.71bn for FC Balochistan (North) helicopters, gas for two fertiliser plants till December 31, smart-glasses import curbs, and Rs1bn for village gasification.
