Government halts special treatment to federal cabinet, imposes salary cut

Following Pakistan’s current economic crisis, the government has decided to halt special treatment for the federal cabinet. This means that government officials will not be provided with luxury cars and five-star hotels, and a salary cut has also been imposed.

The announcement of this development was made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. While talking in a press conference, the leader remarked that ministers, special advisers, and state ministers, have decided to willingly ‘forego their salaries and special perks. Likewise, this means that government officials will pay their own electricity, telephone, and gas bills.

Amid economic difficulties, the expression of solidarity & sharing the burden is the governing spirit of austerity measures of our government. It is leadership by personal example. It is through collective efforts that the country can be rid of the present challenging phase. 1/2

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 23, 2023

Govt ends special perks given to officials

PM Shehbaz Sharif further remarked that federal ministers will travel in economy class, and they will not have rooms booked in five-star hotels during their trips abroad. He asserted that no cabinet member or government officer will be given luxury cars, and until June 2024, there will be a ban on purchasing new cars.

PM Sharif said that to save electricity and gas, the offices will open at 7:30 am during the summer. Likewise, government employees will not be allotted more than one plot, and this will be implemented immediately. When it comes to food, only a single dish will be allowed at government events. The federal cabinet has also mutually agreed that no one will be allowed to retain state gifts that are over $300, and the government has also decided to make the Toshakhana record available to the general public.

While responding to a question from a reporter, he said that the above-mentioned measures are estimated to save a stellar Rs200 billion on an annual basis.

Deal with the IMF

Pakistan is looking for a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as the fear of foreign reserve shortage looms over the nation. However, according to PM Sharif, talks with IMF are at the ‘last stage’ and he hoped that everything would go well.

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