Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday reconstituted the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and appointed Finance Minister Asad Umar its chairman.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the ECC will consist of 12 members.
Law and Justice Minister Farogh Naseem, Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar, Planning and Development Minister Khusro Bakhtiar, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Adviser to PM on Commerce and Textile Razak Dawood and Adviser to PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr Ishrat Husain have been appointed members of committee.
In addition, ministers for communications, national food security, power, privatisation, statistics and water resources will also be appointed members of the ECC after their appointment.
According to sources, PM Khan has declined to lead the ECC while entrusting the finance minister with the task for running the affairs of the economic decision-making body.
Previously, the ECC was being run by former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi after replacing ex-finance minister Ishaq Dar.
The first meeting of the ECC is scheduled for today (Wednesday).
The ECC is a key consultative forum used by the prime minister of Pakistan for matters concerning the state’s economy. It also maintains vigilance on the monetary and credit situation, oversees monetary regulations, import, exports and inflation. The ECC also issues licences for local and foreign oil exploration companies.
Published in Daily Times, August 29th 2018.
