Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday chaired a meeting to review the impact of regional situation on petroleum products' prices and the implementation of government austerity measures.
The prime minister directed the concerned secretaries to directly supervise the enforcement and tracking of the government’s austerity and simplicity initiatives, directing them to provide daily updates to the review committee regarding progress.
Participants in the meeting examined policy options designed to keep petroleum prices stable, while also discussing the advancement and overall impact of the government’s expenditure-cutting steps.
The meeting was informed that the financial savings generated through these austerity measures would be redirected to provide relief to the public in light of the current circumstances.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, it was emphasized that the entire amount saved through these initiatives would be dedicated exclusively to supporting public welfare.
The meeting also decided that, following the previously introduced mechanism for government employees, staff working in state-owned enterprises and autonomous institutions under government patronage would face phased salary deductions ranging from 5 to 30 %. The funds collected through these deductions would also be utilized for public relief.
It was further agreed that government representatives serving on the boards of corporations and other institutions would no longer receive fees for attending board meetings, and those amounts would be included in the pool of savings.
The meeting was attended by ministers Attaullah Tarar, Muhammad Aurangzeb and Ali Pervaiz Malik, along with Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other senior officials.
During the meeting, the prime minister also instructed Pakistani diplomatic missions around the world to mark Pakistan Day on March 23 in a simple and modest manner.
It was also decided that the recently introduced four-day workweek would not be applicable to law-enforcement agencies or the Federal Board of Revenue, which would continue their duties under the existing work schedule.
For a period of two months, fuel allocations for official vehicles of all government departments will be reduced by 50%, while the proposal to ground 60% of official vehicles will be implemented only after the completion of a third-party audit.
The meeting was also informed about the complete prohibition on the purchase of new government vehicles and the suspension of all other government procurements.
Participants were further told that, for the next two months, the salaries of cabinet members, federal ministers, advisers and special assistants would also be diverted towards public welfare.
It was additionally noted that a complete restriction on overseas travel by ministers, advisers and special assistants would remain in effect, with preference given to teleconferencing and virtual meetings instead.
PM Shehbaz also directed that the ban on foreign visits by government officials, federal ministers, ministers of state and special assistants would continue to remain in place.