PM Shehbaz forms committee to curtail govt expenditures

ISLAMABAD: Amidst the nation’s delicate economic situation and soaring inflation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again initiated austerity measures to address the challenges at hand.

PM Shehbaz has formed a committee dedicated to reducing the expenditures of the federal government.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the committee will be chaired by the deputy chairman of the planning commission, with the secretaries of the Cabinet Division, Finance Division, and Industries and Production Secretary Rashid Mahmood Langrial serving as members.

Additionally, distinguished economist Dr Kaiser Bengali, Dr Farrukh Saleem and Muhammad Naveed Iftikhar are among the committee’s members.

The notification outlined the committee’s terms of reference, which include reviewing all previously commissioned reports, including those of the National Austerity Committee, established by the Finance Division for institutional reforms, aimed at streamlining federal government expenditures.

The committee will assess the progress made in downsizing or right-sizing federal government departments and develop a strategy and implementation plan for remaining recommendations with clear timelines.

Furthermore, the notification said the committee will consider any additional proposals related to Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), pension schemes, etc, that could contribute to reducing government expenditures.

The committee is empowered to co-opt individuals from the public or private sector, as necessary, to fulfill its objectives.

The committee is tasked with submitting its report within one week to the prime minister for review. The notification specified that the Cabinet Division will extend secretarial support to the committee in its endeavours.

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