ISLAMABAD, Feb 22 (APP): Following are the major austerity steps announced by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday after chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet.
- Federal cabinet decided to surrender their salaries, privileges
- The cabinet members to pay their utility bills from their own resources
- Luxury vehicles to be returned
- – All cabinet members to travel in economy class
- – They will not stay in five stars hotels during visits abroad
- – 15pc cut in expenditures of all ministries and govt. entities
- – Complete ban on luxurious items till June 2024
- – Security vehicles to be returned back
- – Video links meetings to be encouraged
- – Govt. offices to start functioning at 7:30 am
- – Energy-saving items/gadgets will be used
- – For the sale of big official residences, a committee being formed
- – One dish policy for ceremonies, meetings will be enforced
- – It will not be applicable to visiting foreign dignitaries
- – Market to close at 8pm
- – Only a gift of Toshakhana worth $300 could be retained
- – The steps will be applicable to Aiwan e Sadr
- – The federal government hopes to save Rs300 billion annually
- – In the mini-budget taxes were levied on large corporations
- – Taxes imposed on luxurious items
- – Talks with IMF in the last stages
- – Price hike expected after IMF agreement
- – Certain subsidies taken back to meet IMF terms
- – Subsidies for poor being retained
- – Former government failed to implement the Gwadar power supply project
- – Gwadar port now operational
- – Relevant forums to decide over holding of elections in two provinces
- – No shortage of wheat in the country
- – Provision of flour a responsibility of the provincial govts
- – A person claiming to be honest caught red handed
- – By selling gifts of brotherly country, he brought disrespect
- – Public to hear good news about the size of cabinet soon
- – Armed forces gave a positive response over austerity measures
- – The President acted unconstitutionally by giving a date for elections
