ECNEC approves nine schemes worth Rs251b Clears Pak-China optical fibre cable project for fast communication between two nations ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday approved nine mega-development schemes worth Rs251 billion, including an umbrella project worth Rs70 billion to improve its response to the coronavirus pandemic and other calamities. Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), which also approved Rs38 billion Pak-China optical fibre cable scheme for fast communication between the two nations. The Covid-19 response and other natural calamities control programme were approved by the Ecnec at a cost of Rs70 billion as a federal share, according to the statement issued by the finance ministry. The project includes National Health up-gradation programme, National programme for Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Covid-19 interventions for less developed areas, it added.