Islamabad: In a bid to curb expenditures and promote fiscal responsibility, cash-strapped Pakistan has issued a notification banning the use of red carpets at official events for federal ministers and government officials, with the exception granted solely to foreign diplomats, as reported by multiple sources.
The decision underscores the government’s commitment to prudent financial management, with the aim of channeling savings towards more pressing priorities. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Cabinet members have also opted to forgo their salaries and perks voluntarily, aligning with the administration’s broader agenda of accountability and economic stewardship.
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This austerity drive echoes similar measures taken by President Asif Ali Zardari in the past, who abstained from receiving salary and benefits amidst the nation’s economic adversity.
Prime Minister Sharif, embarking on his second term in office, stressed the necessity of seeking additional support in light of Pakistan’s economic and security challenges. To this end, the government is contemplating seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), following a staff-level agreement for the disbursement of the final tranche amounting to 1.1 billion US dollars.
