Shehbaz Sharif Govt Delays Austerity Measures, Forms New Committee for recommendations

ISLAMABAD, June 13: The Shehbaz Sharif-led government has deferred the implementation of anticipated austerity measures announced during the budget presentation, opting to establish yet another committee for recommendations.
Despite the recommendations put forth by a high-level committee, none were mentioned by the finance minister in his budget speech, raising eyebrows among political circles.
This high-level committee, initiated by the prime minister earlier in his term, aimed to propose practical austerity plans. However, the government has chosen to prioritize "right sizing" measures instead, prompting the formation of a new committee to delve deeper into the matter.
Sources reveal that discussions held prior to the budget involved a thorough review of recommendations from the previous committee, chaired by the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission.
Notably, the previous committee, set up during the PDM (Shahbaz Sharif) government, suggested steps to potentially save up to one trillion rupees annually. However, most of these recommendations were overlooked.
Led by retired bureaucrat Nasir Mehmood Khosa, the committee comprised 15 members and proposed comprehensive austerity measures, including substantial savings from subsidies, development expenditure, and civil government operations.
The 2023 committee's recommendations encompassed a wide spectrum, targeting savings from various sectors such as subsidies, development, civil government expenses, and defense expenditure reduction.
As the government gears up to form a new committee, the delay in implementing austerity measures raises questions about its commitment to fiscal discipline amid economic challenges.