ISLAMABAD (NNI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday constituted a seven-member committee of ministers to ensure the implementation of the austerity policy.
A notification was also issued in this connection.
The committee includes Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar, Minister for Education Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Information and Technology and Telecommunication, Syed Ameen ul Haque, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarrar, Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema, PM’s advisor on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira and Minister of State for Power Division Hashim Notezai. The committee would review the implementation of the decisions taken during the federal cabinet meeting of February 22, the notification read.
The committee will meet after every two months to review progress made on the policy devised to cut down expenditures in view of fragile economic situation of the country.
Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, had unveiled a massive austerity drive at the Federal Government level to slash expenditures while eyeing an ambitious plan to save 200 billion rupees annually. The government under its austerity plan has announced working hours in offices from 7:30 in the morning to cut expenses and conserve electricity.
The federal cabinet’s all members have opted to work voluntarily without salaries and other official perks to save 200 billion rupees in a year under the prime minister’s austerity plan. The government has also announced to return back luxury vehicles given to all cabinet members. The cabinet has also banned its members stay in five-star hotels during their overseas visits. It is worth mentioning here that the Prime Minister had issued direction to his Cabinet for reducing non-developmental expenses to minimize burden on the national exchequer.
PM summons report from CDA over Bhara Kahu bypass incident: Taking the notice of Bhara Kahu flyover incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a report from Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman.
The prime minister has directed the authorities to take stern action against those found negligent.
In a message, Mr Sharif expressed condolence with the bereaved families of the labourers. He also prayed for the early recovery of the injured persons in the incident. At least two labourers were killed while three others were injured when shuttering of an under-construction Bhara Kahu bypass flyover collapsed early Saturday morning, causing panic among passers-by of the locality.
Rescue teams rushed to the incident site and pulled three labourers out of rubble while efforts to save the remaining two were going on. According to rescue officials, heavy construction material was being pitched on it when the portion caved in.
The 5.6 km-long Bhara Kahu bypass (including a 1km flyover) starts from Murree Road at Malpur and culminates on Murree Road near the Jugi bus stop from where the flyover begins till the end of the local bazaar towards Murree.
PM forms committee to ensure implementation of austerity policy
