The government has decided to significantly reduce government expenditure by taking major steps for fiscal savings and public relief. It was agreed to further tighten the austerity campaign in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The meeting was informed that the salaries of employees of government and government-sponsored autonomous institutions will be gradually cut by 5 percent to 30 percent and the savings obtained from this will be used in public relief programs.
Federal ministers and relevant officials attended the meeting and the government’s savings measures were considered along with the impact of petroleum product prices.
The government has decided that a complete ban on the purchase of new government vehicles will remain in place, while online meetings and teleconferencing will be promoted in government affairs.
Similarly, a complete ban has been imposed on foreign visits by ministers, advisors and special assistants.
According to the government announcement, the fuel provided for government vehicles will be reduced by 50 percent for the next two months and several vehicles will be temporarily put out of use.
It was also decided in the meeting that government representatives attending board meetings of government institutions will not be charged any fee and this amount will be included in government savings.
The Prime Minister directed that all government departments strictly follow the austerity measures and submit reports on a daily basis.
