A meeting of the apex committee of the Special Economic Investment Council (SIFC), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is underway.

The meeting is attended by federal ministers and military leadership, as well as Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Former caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar and his cabinet have also been invited to the meeting, reportedly to discuss issues related to investment in the country. The program is likely to include a detailed SIFC briefing for members.

It should be noted that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) also plays an important role in harmonizing the financial expenditure of the federal government and the provinces.

With an estimated allocation of Rs 1 trillion in federal funding, the council facilitates subsidies and projects under provincial jurisdiction. These include critical initiatives such as the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) as well as investments in higher education, tube well electricity supply and fertilizer subsidies.

The long-term goal of SIFC’s efforts is to reduce the financial burden on the federal government while ensuring optimal use of funds at the provincial level.