ISLAMABAD – The government has officially started implementing concrete steps to reduce public spending in line with federal cabinet decisions.
A ban has been imposed on new recruitments in federal government departments, with the Ministry of Finance issuing a notification to cut government expenses.
According to the notification, no new recruitments will be made except for temporary positions that have been in place for over a year.
A complete ban has also been placed on overseas medical treatments at government expense, and government-funded foreign trips are also banned.
The notification specifies that there will be a total prohibition on purchasing any new vehicles, with exceptions only for ambulances, medical aid, and buses for educational institutions.
A ban will also be imposed on the purchase of all new machinery and equipment, with exceptions allowed for hospitals, laboratories, agriculture, and schools.
This move comes amid criticism of the government’s tough federal budget and increased energy costs, which are part of its efforts to secure a $7 billion economic bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Last month, the government announced plans to dismantle regulatory bodies for devolved subjects such as health and education, eliminate transportation services for all federal ministries and divisions, phase out non-executive staff at the federal level, and merge the aviation and maritime divisions with the defense ministry as part of its restructuring and austerity measures.
