PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday strictly directed all law enforcement agencies (LEAs) not to use vehicles above 1800cc. The premier’s directive is part of the government’s austerity campaign to lessen the burden on the state kitty and stabilize the economy. The prime minister also directed the officers not to use SUVs and sedans above 1800cc. The austerity committee had come out with an elaborate plan to save expenditure and the federal cabinet too had partially endorsed the programme but its practical implementation is not visible. There are reports of continued misuse Lack of focus on austerity Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday strictly directed all law enforcement agencies (LEAs) not to use vehicles above 1800cc. The premier’s directive is part of the government’s austerity campaign to lessen the burden on the state kitty and stabilize the economy. The prime minister also directed the officers not to use SUVs and sedans above 1800c
The austerity committee had come out with an elaborate plan to save expenditure and the federal cabinet too had partially endorsed the programme but its practical implementation is not visible. There are reports of continued misuse of official vehicles by senior officials, who are, otherwise, receiving sumptuous car allowance. It is also a longstanding complaint that official vehicles are used for pick up and drop of children of government officials studying in various educational institutions. Similarly, at a time when the Government was forced to resort to electricity and gas load-shedding even during the holy month, some heads of organizations and their subordinates have not changed their behaviour and they continue to sit late, misusing official resources. The Federal and provincial governments also vowed to implement decisions regarding early closure of markets and bazaars but, as usual, there is neither any cooperation from the business community nor the Government is willing to enforce the measures strictly. The Government was also expecting voluntary initiation of an austerity drive in institutions like the judiciary but so far there is no response from them. We hope the Prime Minister would take notice of lacklustre implementation of the plan and monitor the situation personally to make it work.
