Pakistan Bans New Vehicles, Machinery, and Overseas Medical Treatments to Save Money
Islamabad, Pakistan – The government of Pakistan has imposed a complete ban on specific expenditures to ease the burden on the national treasury. This includes the purchase of new vehicles, machinery, and state-funded medical treatments abroad.
Details of the Ban
The ban, effective from September 4, prohibits the purchase of all types of vehicles except operational ones like ambulances, fire fighting vehicles, and buses for educational institutions. The procurement of machinery and equipment is also banned, except for those required for hospitals, laboratories, schools, and the agriculture and mining sectors.
Additional Restrictions
There will be a complete ban on the formation of new governmental posts, including temporary ones, and posts vacant for three years will be abolished. Medical treatments in foreign countries using government funds are also prohibited, along with non-obligatory visits abroad where government funding is involved.
All ministries and divisions are instructed to ensure strict compliance with these measures. The appointment of staff to federal universities and hospitals is also banned, except for academic staff hired on a lump sum remuneration package.
Background
Earlier this year, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa finance department implemented similar austerity measures. The Pakistani budget has faced criticism for high taxes and increased energy costs as the country seeks a USD 7 billion economic bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Doubts Revealed
Pakistan -: Pakistan is a country in South Asia, located next to India.
ban -: A ban means that something is not allowed or is forbidden.
national treasury -: The national treasury is like a big piggy bank for the whole country where the government keeps its money.
expenditures -: Expenditures are things that money is spent on, like buying stuff or paying for services.
state-funded -: State-funded means that the government pays for it using the country’s money.
medical treatments abroad -: Medical treatments abroad are when people go to other countries to get medical help or surgery.
operational vehicles -: Operational vehicles are cars, trucks, or other vehicles that are needed to do important work.
essential machinery -: Essential machinery means important machines that are needed to do important jobs, like in hospitals or farms.
creation of new government posts -: This means making new jobs in the government.
non-obligatory foreign visits -: These are trips to other countries that are not absolutely necessary.
