ISLAMABAD: The government is preparing to lay off 3,000 permanent employees from the national airline PIA and approval of funds for the voluntary scheme is expected today.

The Cabinet Economic Co-ordination Committee will meet today to consider a four-point agenda. Finance Advisor Hafeez Sheikh will chair the Economic Coordination Committee meeting.

About Rs 12 billion will be spent on the PIA volunteer scheme. Approval of Technical Supplementary Grant for the Ministry of Defense is also on the agenda.

The budget for successful youth program services will also be considered by the Prime Minister. A summary of gas supply from PPL field is also part of the agenda.

The last meeting of the Economic Co-ordination Committee of the Cabinet had approved a reduction in the price of electricity for the industrial sector, especially for small and medium enterprises.

The meeting discussed in detail the package related to electricity prices for the industrial sector and agreed to reduce the price of electricity for industries especially the SME sector from Rs. 12.96 per unit to Rs. 10 per unit.