PM Announces New Office Timings As Part of Austerity Measures

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a heap of austerity measures, including change in office timings to save Rs. 200 billion as the country struggles to meeting International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions.

As part of the austerity measures, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced new office timings for Government employees. In order to save power and gas, the Government offices will now open at 07:30 am instead of 08:00 am and less power consuming appliances will be used.

Furthermore, the Federal Ministers, State Ministers, Advisors, and Special Assistants have decided to voluntarily not take their salaries. Apart from these measures, all Ministers will pay their own utility bills, including power, telephone, and gas.

Moreover, the luxury cars handed over to cabinet members will be taken back and auctioned to raise money and when needed, the Ministers will be provided with one vehicle for security. Furthermore, the Government officials will not be allowed to buy any luxury cars till June 2024

Car allowances for Government officers who have official vehicles will be discontinued and any cars provided to Government officers for security will be taken back. Interior Minister will be responsible for deciding which Government officer gets security vehicles.

The Prime Minister announced that Government officials may no longer stay in five-star hotels during their foreign tours and they can only travel in economy class. Additionally, they will not be allowed to take their assistants on any official tours.

Zoom conferences will be preferred instead of visiting other countries and no Government official will hold an official tour unless absolutely necessary.

Meanwhile, all Ministries, Divisions, Departments, and Independent Organizations will see a 15% cut in current expenditures and the respective principal accountant officers will adjust their spending accordingly.

Furthermore, there will be no new department or division created, whether it will be at Tehsil Level or at the Centre.

The Prime Minister said that Government officers will not be allotted more than one plot and Government meetings will be one-dish only, while tea and biscuit will be served at other meetings.

In order to save power, center and provinces will cut electricity supply to malls and markets if they don’t shut down by 8:30 pm. Lastly, single treasury account will be established and Toshakhana gifts details will be made available online.

Read more: Staff of Special Children’s School in Islamabad Caught Torturing Students.

Follow INCPAK on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram for updates.