In a bid to control rising inflation and lower government expenditures, the ruling party has adopted multiple austerity measures. According to media reports, the government has decided to impose two conditions concerning vehicles and petrol.
The reports stated that:
- There is now a ban on purchasing government vehicles meaning the authorities will not buy any new cars for officials and departments.
- And petrol quota of government officials and cabinet members has been cut by 40%.
These ruling party has imposed these conditions after serious public pressure amid record-high petrol prices. After the last price hike, the people demanded from the government to slash petrol and vehicle benefits for government officials and politicians. Following this pressure, the provincial and federal governments have taken many steps.
Provinces Cut Fuel Quota
Last week, the provincial governments of Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) cut the fuel quota of government officials. Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz abolished the petroleum allowance for government officials. Then Sindh Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah approved a 40% cut in the fuel quota for provincial ministers, government officials, and himself.
CM Sindh says the national treasury should not suffer the entire burden of a fuel hike because “overburdening the treasury means overburdening the masses.”
Following the suit, KPK also decided to cut the fuel quota of its top officials. A notification issued by KP Chief Secretary stated that Chief Minister KP, Mehmood Khan had approved a 35% cut down in the fuel quota of KPK ministers and government officials.
We hope that these announcements will be implemented physically. The proper implementation will reduce the burden on the masses and the national exchequer.
What do you think about these steps by provincial and federal governments? Do you think these are enough or more should be done? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
