PM assigns Intelligence Bureau to monitor implementation of national austerity plan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tasked the Intelligence Bureau (IB) with monitoring the implementation of the government’s national austerity plan across state institutions.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division of Pakistan on Monday, the IB will conduct a comprehensive audit and validation exercise, including an impact assessment of fuel conservation and other austerity measures introduced by the government.

The bureau has been directed to submit weekly reports to the prime minister as well as to the committee overseeing the monitoring and implementation of fuel conservation and additional austerity measures.

The austerity plan was announced amid rising fuel costs triggered by the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran in the Middle East.

Addressing the nation earlier this month, PM Shehbaz said the government had taken difficult economic and administrative decisions to manage the situation and reduce the impact of the energy crisis in Pakistan.

Under the plan, both federal and provincial governments have been instructed to adopt austerity and simplicity to cut expenditures and conserve energy.

The measures include reducing government expenses, introducing a four-day working week and limiting non-essential official movement.

The prime minister also announced that members of the federal cabinet, advisers and special assistants would forgo their salaries for two months, while members of parliament would face a 25% salary cut during the same period.

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Sources said the Intelligence Bureau has also been directed to monitor the implementation of the austerity measures within the secretariats of the National Assembly of Pakistan and the Senate of Pakistan.

Officials violating the austerity and fuel conservation plan will face immediate action, according to authorities.

During a review meeting, the prime minister said economic stability and public relief remained the government’s top priorities and assured that Pakistan had sufficient petroleum supplies due to timely decisions taken by the administration.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

Officials were also informed that a new feature has been added to the Pak App allowing consumers to report fuel shortages or overcharging, enabling authorities to take immediate action.