AGREEING to a comprehensive set of proposals submitted by the Austerity Committee to save taxpayers’ money from government spending, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked the body to engage all stakeholders for the implementation plan. The proposals seek massive cuts in the perks, privileges and other luxuries enjoyed by the ruling elite, parliamentarians, judges, civil and military officers from taxpayers’ money.
It is for the first time that a realistic austerity plan has been formulated as it seeks sacrifices from the elite and well-paid segments of the society and not from the common man. This is evident from the fact that the proposals framed by the Austerity Committee proposals include major cut in the size of cabinet, no development funds for MPs, no pension beyond Rs500,000 per month to anyone from public kitty, no use of SUVs by government officials, withdrawal of all perks of retired civil servants, judicial officers of superior courts and of uniformed services viz vehicles, security, support staff and utilities, 15 percent cut in the salary and allowances of all MNAs, MPAs and Senators; 15 percent cut in the current budget of all ministries, divisions, departments etc at federal and provincial levels, only one plot be allowed to all government servants, bureaucrats, judges and armed forces’ officers; more than one plot already allotted as well as additional land allotment be cancelled and put to open auction, no new green-field project except in special industrial zones under CPEC, ban on recruitment and scaling down of security protocols for all. It is no secret that the privileged class, which has means other than salaries and pensions, enjoys perks and privileges that a poor country like Pakistan can hardly afford and, therefore, it would be in the fitness of things that these should either be withdrawn or rationalized in the light of the recommendations of the Committee.
This will make no or minimal difference for this class but implementation of the plan would send a positive message to not just people of Pakistan but also to bilateral and multilateral lenders. In fact, the Committee has worked hard and comprehensively covered all aspects of governance to ensure that a substantial amount is saved through these measures. With this in view, it is hoped that the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers would commit themselves to total implementation of the plan and that too without loss of further time.
The Prime Minister has asked the Committee to engage all stakeholders in the implementation of the plan but this is strange as implementation concerns the Federal and Provincial Governments and consultations would result in toning down the highly beneficial recommendations. We also hope that all institutions including the judiciary would lend a helping hand in this regard as this is the need of the hour in view of pretty precarious financial position of the country.
