Finance Minister Asad on Tuesday Umar chaired a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet in Islamabad.

The ECC approved a mechanism to ensure enhanced supply of domestic gas to the five zero-rated export-oriented sectors. It was further decided that these sectors would be given priority in the allocation of gas at par with the power sector.

These industries would be supplied Re-Gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) during the three winter months (December-February) when the gas demand of domestic sector would be at its peak. During the remaining months (March-November), these industries would be supplied domestic gas and RLNG on a 50:50 basis.

The meeting also featured a briefing on the LNG terminal agreements signed during the previous government. The ECC decided that facts ascertained after discussion will be shared with the federal cabinet in its next meeting.

The committee lauded provincial governments in KP and Punjab on the presentation of prudent and forward-thinking budgets.