Military Rations Shift to Local Wheat
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet approved a directive on Thursday to supply 175,000 tonnes of 100 per cent fresh indigenous wheat to the Pakistan Army. The decision marks a shift from the previous policy of supplying wheat at a 50:50 ratio of imported and local grains.
The Ministry of Defence pushed for the change, citing persistent complaints from troops regarding the taste, cooking quality, and appearance of imported stock. By switching to 100 per cent supply from local fresh-crop produce, the military expects to improve staple rations while pocketing a projected savings of Rs2.8 billion. The military’s finance wing maintains these adjustments are essential for the morale of personnel stationed across diverse environments, from glacial to desert terrains.
Aligning Import Policy with ILO Standards
In a bid to bolster international trade standing, the ECC has amended the Import Policy Order 2022. The government is now formally incorporating the International Labour Organisation’s 1930 Forced Labour Convention (No. 29) into national law.
The new definition classifies “forced or compulsory labour” as any work or service extracted from an individual under the threat of penalty for which they have not volunteered. The government clarified that this does not extend to compulsory military service, any other similar service, or essential services for normal civic obligations, as covered by any court of law. Officials stated the update is intended to reinforce compliance with global labor commitments and improve domestic trade governance.
Passco Restructuring and Severance Payouts
The ECC session also addressed the ongoing restructuring and winding-up process of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco). To facilitate the transition, the committee approved a Rs4.188bn severance package to provide terminal benefits and compensation to eligible employees, mirroring the model previously used for the Utility Stores Corporation.
Auctioning Flood-Damaged Reserves
The ECC authorized the auction of 8,197.989 tonnes of flood-damaged wheat. The disposal will be executed through an open, transparent competitive bidding process. To ensure fiscal accountability, the sale will be subject to third-party validation.
Broader Oversight of State Entities
The ECC also examined a summary submitted by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training regarding the Financial Sustainability and Governance Plan of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.