Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif holds a press conference in Islamabad to unveil austerity measures as the country prepares to comply with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) requirements.
Addressing press conference in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that our relations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are in the final stages, and as a result of the agreement, inflation will increase further in the country.
He added, “The poor man in Pakistan has always sacrificed. Earthquakes or floods and natural disasters always burden the poor man. We are doing everything we can to get Pakistan out of difficulties, if Pakistan has to get rid of poverty, then collective efforts should be made.”
The Prime Minister announced that all federal ministers, advisers, and ministers of state would not voluntarily take salaries and perks.
While announcing measures Sharif asserted that ministers will pay gas, water, and electricity bills from their pockets.
“It has also been decided to withdraw luxury vehicles from ministers, all luxury vehicles are being withdrawn, they will be auctioned where necessary,” PM revealed.
He further said that ministers had been banned from buying luxury vehicles till June 2024, and no cabinet member or government official was allowed to use luxury vehicles.
Shahbaz Sharif also claimed that ministers and government officials will not travel in business class, ministers will travel in economy class at home and abroad.
“Zoom conferences will be promoted to hold bilateral talks so that travel expenses can be reduced,” PM urged.
Shehbaz further declared that no administrative unit will be built for the next two years, no new department will be created within the federal government and a single treasury account will be created.
“During foreign tours, cabinet members will not reside in five-star hotels and Government officers will not be allotted more than one plot, ” the PM said.
Referring to the austerity drive, the Prime Minister further announced that offices will start working at 7:30 am in the summer to save electricity and gas.
He said that there will be a one-dish policy in all ministries, including the Prime Minister’s House, but the one-dish rule will not apply to foreign guests.
Shahbaz Sharif announced to make the Toshakhana record transparent for the public and said that government personalities will be able to keep gifts worth only Rs 80,000, whereas the value of toshakhana gifts will be estimated by a third party.
In the press conference, Shahbaz Sharif revealed that the decision to shorten the cabinet had been postponed for a few days.
Sharif also avered that he contacted the military institutions, and they responded positively about non-war expenditure.
