These measures, adopted to control the rising expenditures, include a ban on the purchase of new vehicles and equipment for most government departments
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has implemented a series of austerity measures aimed at reducing expenditures across various departments, with a focus on cutting costs and streamlining operations. The Finance Ministry, in a notification issued on Friday, outlined several significant steps designed to curtail spending, including the abolition of vacant positions, restrictions on the purchase of vehicles and machinery, and limitations on foreign travel for government officials.
These measures, adopted to control the rising government expenditure, include a ban on the purchase of new vehicles and equipment for most government departments. However, the notification specifies that exceptions will be made for operational vehicles that are deemed essential for public services. These include ambulances, fire engines, buses and vans for educational institutions, solid waste management vehicles, and motorcycles. These essential vehicles may still be acquired if necessary for operations, ensuring that critical services are not disrupted by the austerity measures.
In a similar vein, the purchase of new machinery and equipment will also be prohibited for most departments, with the exception of equipment required for hospitals, laboratories, agricultural activities, mining operations, and schools. This targeted approach ensures that vital sectors, particularly in healthcare and education, remain functional while overall government spending is reduced.
Additionally, the notification emphasizes a complete freeze on the creation of new government positions, including temporary posts, with the exception of those linked to projects funded under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). Moreover, all government posts that have been vacant for more than three years will be abolished, as part of the broader effort to trim down unnecessary expenditures.
The ban also extends to unnecessary foreign trips by government officials, and a complete prohibition on medical treatment abroad at government expense, as part of the effort to further tighten the belt on public spending. However, PSDP-funded projects will remain exempt from these procurement bans, allowing for the continued execution of key development initiatives.
These austerity measures are part of the government’s broader strategy to mitigate the fiscal challenges the country is facing, as well as to promote a more efficient and responsible use of public funds. The Finance Ministry’s focus on curbing excess expenditure while maintaining essential services underscores the seriousness of the economic situation, and the steps being taken to address it.
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