Austerity measures?

At a time when the commonfolk have been overburdened with taxes and have to tighten their belts, the government continues to splurge. A recent example is the Sindh government approving the procurement of 138 double-cabin vehicles for the province's assistant commissioners. Almost Rs2 billion are needed for the purchase of these costly vehicles – something that has been suspended for four weeks by the Sindh High Court.

The media backlash on the Sindh government's plan is closely followed by a notification that the federal government has imposed a "complete ban" on specific expenditures, including the purchase of new vehicles, machinery and state-funded medical treatment abroad. Unfortunately, such announcements have been more about appearances than real substance. And the fact is that spending by successive governments has remained mostly unchecked, with significant resources allocated to subsidies, salaries and inefficient public-sector enterprises. This unchecked expenditure has contributed to a ballooning budget deficit and a rising national debt, placing an unsustainable burden on the economy. While other nations have turned to austerity to address similar challenges, Pakistan's leaders have avoided making the tough decisions required to curtail spending and implement meaningful reforms.

Government functionaries and officials continue to enjoy extravagant perks while the masses struggle to even eat two proper meals a day. The absence of austerity measures worsens socioeconomic inequalities. Persisting with inefficient and unnecessary programmes means that essential services such as healthcare and education receive less funding, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable groups. Consequently, mismanagement of public funds not only threatens financial stability but also undermines social fairness. For Pakistan to overcome its economic difficulties, a shift toward fiscal responsibility is crucial. The government must embrace austerity measures that involve cutting unnecessary expenses and implementing structural reforms. Without these measures, the country faces a prolonged period of economic instability and social unrest.