Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed that as many productive sectors as possible be brought under an automated monitoring system to increase tax revenues. He stated that enforcement mechanisms should be further strengthened and made more effective to ensure an increase in Federal Board of Revenue collections and to curb tax evasion so that elements causing losses to the national treasury can be effectively controlled.
The government has also decided to observe an additional weekly holiday on Friday as part of austerity and energy-saving measures. In this regard, all federal ministries and divisions have been instructed to submit daily and weekly reports regarding steps taken for austerity, energy conservation, and workforce management so that effective monitoring of these measures can be ensured.
While addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif stated that the government is making every possible effort to keep the economy stable despite the prevailing global situation. He further directed that the austerity measures implemented by various departments should also undergo a third-party audit to ensure transparency and effectiveness.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister instructed all ministries and government institutions to send photographs of vehicles that have been taken out of service under the austerity policy to the Cabinet Division so that proper monitoring and record of these actions can be maintained.
These directives were issued during a review meeting held on Tuesday at the Prime Minister’s House under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting reviewed the implementation of the government’s announced austerity and energy-saving measures in light of the current regional situation.
While speaking to the participants of the meeting, the Prime Minister also informed that a special committee has been formed under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to oversee the implementation of austerity and energy conservation measures. The committee will review the progress on a daily basis and submit its report to the Prime Minister to ensure effective implementation of the decisions.
