In a recent address to the nation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif introduced a comprehensive national austerity plan alongside significant changes to the educational schedule. These measures are strategically designed to conserve fuel, significantly reduce government expenditure, and redirect funds toward public relief.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the newly announced policies:
đź“š Educational Sector Updates and Energy Conservation
To immediately reduce energy consumption and nationwide commuting, the federal government has restructured the academic and working week:
- Nationwide School Holidays:Â All schools will observe a two-week holiday starting at the end of this current week.
- Transition to Virtual Learning:Â All higher education institutions have been directed to transition entirely to online classes.
- Extended Weekend:Â An additional weekly day off has been instituted across the board to further support fuel conservation efforts.
đźš— Fleet and Fuel Reductions
For the next two months, strict limitations will be placed on the use of government assets:
- Vehicle Grounding:Â 60% of all vehicles utilized by government departments will be temporarily grounded.
- Fuel Allowance Cuts:Â The petrol allowance for remaining government vehicles will be slashed by 50%.
- Note: Essential public services, including ambulances and public use buses, are entirely exempt from these fuel cuts.
đź’Ľ Salary Sacrifices and Public Relief Funding
Top-tier government officials and civil servants are taking direct financial cuts to contribute to a national relief fund:
- Voluntary Salary Forfeiture:Â Cabinet members, federal ministers, advisors, and special assistants will not draw their salaries.
- Parliamentary Deductions:Â Members of Parliament will see a 25% reduction in their salaries.
- Civil Servant Contributions:Â Government officers in Grade 20 and above, who earn a monthly salary exceeding Rs. 300,000, will have two days’ worth of pay deducted.
- Public Relief:Â All funds recovered from these salary deductions will be directly allocated to public relief initiatives.
📉 Departmental Expenditure and Travel Restrictions
To curb administrative costs, severe operational restrictions have been placed on all government bodies:
- Operational Budget Cuts:Â A flat 20% reduction has been applied to the non-salary operating expenses of all government departments.
- Procurement Ban:Â A strict, immediate ban has been imposed on the purchase of new vehicles, furniture, air conditioning units, and similar non-essential operational equipment.
- Foreign Travel Ban:Â Federal and provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, Chief Ministers, Governors, and senior government officers are prohibited from undertaking foreign travel. Exemptions will only be granted for highly unavoidable trips that are deemed absolutely critical to the national interest.