Discretionary use of state funds banned Pakistan
The new government formation in Pakistan has already led to some interesting developments. The discretionary use of state funds has been banned the Pakistani government.
Pakistan is now on the road to an austerity drive. Due to this reason, secrecy in the use of funds for first-class air travel officials and leaders has also been banned. This decision was made in a recent cabinet meeting. This meeting was cheered Prime Minister, Imran Khan.
Previously, the army was not allowed first-class travel. They always had to use the business class. Ministers and government officials, on the other hand, used to travel in first-class.
Pakistan’s Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry has stated,”It has been decided that all the top government officials, including the president, prime minister, chief justice, state chairman, speaker national assembly and the chief ministers will travel in club/business.”
The cabinet has also taken the decision to stop the allowance of discretionary funds to the government officials. It was also said that the former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif used Rs. 51 billion discretionary funds in a year.
It has also been decided the Prime Minister that he shall stop using a special plane for domestic and foreign visits. Instead, the regular business class air travel will be used him.
Elaborate official protocols were also completely disregarded Prime Minister Imran Khan. He has decided to use only two vehicles and keep only two servants.
The Cabinet has taken up many other issues. One of these included the proposal to revert to six-day working week instead of the present five-day system. But the fear of alienation of government employees prevented this proposal from being seconded the cabinet members.
A decision was also taken to conduct an audit. This shall be an audit of all the major transportation projects undertaken the previous government. The government will be focussing on the areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Imran Khan led Pakistan government seems to be taking a strict reign for the development of Pakistan. But are these steps truly legitimate? Or are they just a show of transparency that never actually existed? What do you think?
