Whither austerity

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The federal government has more than doubled the size of the cabinet, expanding it from 21 to 43 members - in addition to advisers and special assistants - raising serious concerns about the government's commitment to austerity, and its claims of reducing the size of the government by abolishing or relocating dozens of departments in several ministries. At a time when Pakistan's economy is struggling under the weight of inflation, an unsustainable debt burden and dwindling foreign reserves, such a significant expansion appears contradictory to the belt-tightening measures that the PML-N-led coalition has repeatedly promised. With the latest additions, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's team now comprises 51 members, including eight special assistants. Political considerations are sure to have played a role, with coalition partners rewarded with ministerial positions. The most questionable is the inclusion of Pervez Khattak, a former PTI leader who the PML-N leaders would never cease to criticise for his alleged involvement in corruption.

While the current expansion does not technically violate the prescribed 11% limit of total parliamentary membership, it does raise concerns about efficiency and governance. A bloated cabinet risks becoming unwieldy, with overlapping responsibilities and increased bureaucratic inefficiencies. The timing of this expansion is also problematic. Pakistan is in the midst of negotiations with international financial institutions and donors, seeking relief and assistance to stabilise its fragile economy. An oversized cabinet, with its associated costs, sends the wrong message to both the international community and the public. It suggests that while citizens are expected to bear the brunt of economic reforms, those in power remain exempt from the same principles of financial restraint.

If the government wishes to restore public trust, it must rationalise its decision-making and prioritise efficiency over political expediency. Reducing unnecessary expenditures should start from within, and that includes limiting cabinet appointments to only those essential for effective governance.