PM Shehbaz Sharif announces 14-point austerity plan

Islamabad:(Radio Pakistan)Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced a comprehensive fourteen point austerity plan to tackle economic severity stemming from war in the region.                               

He made the announcement in his televised address to the nation tonight after chairing a meeting on austerity measures.         

The Prime Minister said to avoid extra fuel consumption, fifty percent staff of all public and private sector institutes will work from home except for essential services departments.   

He said there will be four working days except for banks, industries and agriculture sectors. Also, there will be a total ban on iftaar parties and dinners, and online, video link modes will be prioritized for meetings.   

The Prime Minister said schools will remain closed from the end of this week for next two weeks while higher educational institutes will shift on online classes.   

He announced fifty percent reduction in fuel quota for public sector institutes for next two months except ambulances and public-use buses. Sixty percent transport used in government offices is also being closed for next two months.  

The Prime Minister announced reduction in 20 percent expenditure of all government institutions except salaries and also banned procuring transport, Air Conditioners or other items.

He said no cabinet members will draw salary for next two months and a 25 percent deduction will be made in salaries of Members of Parliament. Deduction of two-day salary will also be made in pays of officers above grade 20 and this amount will be used for providing relief to common man.

The Prime Minister also declared ban on unnecessary official foreign tours of Federal cabinet members, provincial Chief Ministers or Governors except those inevitable for national interest.

As part of the austerity scheme, seminars and conferences will be held in government buildings instead of hotels.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister warned hoarders and other mafias of strict action if they try to exploit the economic situation.   

He said regional situation and war has affected our hard-gained economic stability but the government is making every effort to prevent burdenizing the common man.          

The Prime Minister said in a world of changing alliances and new challenges, Pakistan once again needs a renewed commitment for national unity, fraternity and responsibility.  

He briefed the nation about his engagements with leaderships of brotherly regional countries and said Pakistan has reaffirmed its solidarity with the brotherly countries.