In a bid to reduce public expenditure amid the current economic conditions, the federal ministers of PML-N have decided to forego their salaries for the national spirit.
According to the details, a delegation of federal ministers met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and proposed to work without salaries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the decision and also appreciated the ministers for their level of concern for the country. Under this decision, 12 federal ministers and three state ministers will be giving up their salaries and will be working on a voluntary basis.
Read more: Why did PML-N’s Azam Nazeer Tarar resign as law minister?
Pertinent to mention that this is the first time in the history of Pakistan that so many ministers are working without salaries. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself is a strong advocate of austerity measures, especially during these turbulent economic conditions in Pakistan.
Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz constituted a 15-member national austerity committee for cutting down the ever-increasing expenses. The austerity committee submitted its set of proposals, recommending a massive cut in the perks, privileges, and other luxuries enjoyed by the ruling elite, parliamentarians, judges, generals, and civil and military officers from taxpayers’ money.
The proposals framed by the Austerity Committee proposals included a major cut in the size of the cabinet, no pension beyond Rs500,000 per month to anyone from the public kitty, and no use of SUVs by government officials.
The proposals also included a 15 percent cut in the salary and allowances of all MNAs, MPAs, and Senators and in the current budget of all ministries, divisions, departments, etc at federal and provincial levels.
Read more: Attaullah Tarar appointed SAPM on Interior & Legal Affairs
While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif aims to reduce public expenditure, he also received a lot of criticism for expanding his cabinet size despite campaigning for austerity measures.
It’s raining advisers and ministers!
PM shehbaz appoints two more advisers and the total number of members in the cabinet swells to 85! https://t.co/duLG9pmCif pic.twitter.com/pOc5a2X5gv
— Ali Aqa Gardezi (@SyedAliAqa) February 8, 2023
Two weeks after the government constituted a 15-member committee on austerity measures, the size of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet was expanded to a historic high of 85 members following the induction of seven more Special Assistants to the Prime Minister (SAPMs) with the status of minister of state.