Cabinet members and senior officers becomes obstacles in PM’s austerity drive

Despite strict austerity policy announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last month, his cabinet members and senior officers have expressed disapproval of austerity measures.

In the meeting of the review committee on the implementation of austerity measures chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, it was informed that more than half of the luxury cars given to the cabinet members, parliamentary secretaries and chairmen of standing committees were not returned to the cabinet division.

Read also

Case of intimidation against female judge: Imran Khan’s non-bailable warrant suspended till March 16

Runazma Don According to a report by Khaleeq Kayani in February, despite the austerity policy approved by the federal government in February, many senior bureaucrats are using official sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and sedans above 1800cc. have been. This policy also had no effect on the higher judiciary and parliamentary forums. It was said in the meeting that there was no discussion on the implementation of austerity measures even in the armed forces.

Workshop at Takht Babri in Petroleum Division

Meanwhile, the Petroleum Division has taken a step forward by organizing a three-day program at the historic Takht Babri (Kul Kahar) for a workshop on “Strategic Roadmap for Petroleum Sector”.

Between 40 and 80 people from public sector oil and gas institutions and companies will be flown in from Karachi and Quetta, while the entire petroleum division and related departments will participate from Islamabad. They are to spend for air travel, logistic support and accommodation from the accounts of their respective institutions.

Petroleum Division Spokesperson Retired Captain Shehbaz confirmed that organizations of the Petroleum Division have been invited to the strategic roadmap development workshop. He declined to share the total expenditure, saying that the expenditure would be minimal. Interestingly, some companies like OGDCL and others have spacious conference halls in their buildings.

16 out of 30 ministers did not return luxury vehicles

In a meeting presided over by Ishaq Dar, a compliance report said that out of 30 luxury vehicles, 14 have been returned by cabinet members or other officials while 16 are still in use, informed sources said.

However, a statement issued by the Finance Department said that the majority of the cabinet members had returned the luxury vehicles. The statement said that “concern was expressed at the meeting over the non-return of the remaining luxury vehicles and The Cabinet Division was directed to strictly implement the decision and return the luxury vehicles within three days”. The decision was made.

The statement said that in the meeting serious concerns were expressed by some officers on the use of SUVs/sedans above 1800cc and all officials were directed to immediately stop the use of all these vehicles. Stop it.

In the meeting, the Ministry of Law and Justice was tasked to approach the Supreme Judiciary to suggest the implementation of austerity measures in the judiciary and the use of teleconferences for all meetings to save time and costs. Refer to the Chairman of the Senate and the Speaker of the National Assembly.

The Inter-Provincial Communications Ministry said it has already approached provincial governments to implement similar austerity measures in their respective jurisdictions, the statement said.

The working hours were also discussed in the meeting and it was decided that the new office hours will be from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM and on Fridays until 12:30 PM. According to the decision, it will be implemented in the summer season. Notification of change in office hours will be issued.