Ministers to Forego Salaries for Two Months Under PM’s Cost-Cutting Plan

PM announces plan to cut govt expenses, reduce use of fuel to shield public from rising prices
ISLAMABAD, Mar 09 (APP)Ali Imran Chattha 

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Monday, announced a detailed energy saving and austerity plan to cut government expenditure and reduce the use of fuel in the public and private sector to stave off effects of high oil prices on the general public.
After finalizing the plan in a meeting of federal and provincial governments meant to cut government expenditure and provide relief to the public, the Prime Minister announced the measures in a televised speech.
The Prime Minister informed that for the next two months, 50 percent reduction would be made in the fuel received by government department vehicles. It does not include ambulances and public buses. 
"All 60 percent of vehicles of government departments are being grounded to save fuel. For the next two months, ministers, advisors, and special assistants will not draw salaries. The salaries will be spent on public relief. The salaries of members of Parliament will be cut by 25 percent," he continued. 
He said two-day salaries of officers in grade 20 and above - whose salaries are more than 300,000 rupees - will be deducted for use of public relief. 
The expenses incurred by all government departments, except for the salaries, are being reduced by 20 percent. 
He said that a complete ban has been imposed on the purchase of furniture, air conditioners, and other items in government departments. A complete ban has also been imposed on foreign visits by federal and provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, and government officers, except for those visits that are essential for the national interest. 
This ban will also apply to the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Governors. 
Teleconferencing and online meetings will be given priority so that maximum fuel saving is possible. Government dinners and Iftar parties are completely banned, he added while revealing details.
He said to cut expenditure, seminars and conferences will not be held in hotels but at government premises and a special committee will give approval for this purpose. 
The Prime Minister said decisions have also been made regarding the government and private sector for energy conservation.
In the government and private sector, except for essential services, 50 percent of the staff will work from home. Offices will be open for only four days a week, he added.
An additional holiday is being given per week to conserve oil. This will not apply to banks. The decision to work from home and an additional weekly holiday will not apply to the sectors of industry and agriculture.
Further, all schools are being given two weeks of vacation and online classes are being started immediately in all higher education institutions, he added.