The federal government has decided that, similar to government servants, salaries of employees of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and autonomous bodies under government patronage will be reduced in a staggered manner from five to 30 percent, which will be used for public relief, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The decision was taken at a meeting held in Islamabad on Saturday to review the impact of regional situation on petroleum product prices and implementation of government austerity measures under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The meeting discussed in detail policy measures for stabilizing petroleum product prices and progress on the implementation of austerity measures by the government, along with their effects.
It was conveyed to the meeting that the funds obtained from government austerity measures will be utilized for public relief in the current situation.
All savings made through austerity measures will be used solely for public relief, declared the prime minister.
The meeting decided that, similar to government employees, salaries of employees of state-owned enterprises and autonomous bodies under government patronage would be deducted in stages from five to 30 percent, which will be used for public relief.
The meeting also decided that corporations and other institutions whose boards include government representatives will not receive board attendance fees for those government representatives, and this fee will be included in the savings amount.
PM Shehbaz said instructions should be issued to all Pakistani embassies worldwide to observe March 23 celebrations with utmost simplicity.
The meeting decided that the four-day workweek will not apply to law enforcement agencies and the Federal Board of Revenue; instead, they will perform their duties in accordance with their previous procedures.
The meeting also decided that a third-party audit will be conducted regarding the decision to reduce fuel allocation for official vehicles of all departments by 50 percent and to ground 60 percent of official vehicles for the next two months.
The meeting was also briefed on the implementation of a complete ban on the purchase of new vehicles by the government and restrictions on all other government purchases.
It was conveyed to the meeting that for the next two months, salaries of Cabinet members, ministers, advisers, and special assistants will also be utilized as savings for public welfare.
The meeting was informed about the implementation of a complete ban on foreign tours of government ministers, advisers, and special assistants, officers and the preference for teleconferencing and online meetings.
The relevant secretaries themselves will ensure implementation and monitoring of all these austerity and simplicity directives and measures, and will submit reports to the Review Committee on a daily basis, the prime minister directed.
Federal ministers Attaullah Tarar, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiani, FBR Chairman, and relevant senior officials attended the meeting.
Reporter Awais Kiyani