THE recent constitution of a committee to recommend austerity measures is laughable, to say the least. First, there is no need for a committee as austerity measures at every level of government, regulatory bodies and state-owned enterprises can be kick-started without spending a penny or a minute on a committee.

This I say because the people directly responsible for running the affairs in any given government office or body are the best people to decide which expenses need to be cut, and to streamline their functions to bring the office or entity concerned to a minimalist platform and to increase productivity at the same time.

Besides, major austerity measures needed are known to the public already, and known for a long time. This is known to the public and not to the government because the public cares and the government does not. This, indeed, has been true of all Pakistani governments regardless of their political orientation.

For example, only recently it was reported there are now a total of 77 federal ministers, ministers of state, special assistants to the prime minister (SAPMs) and others carrying fancy titles. Most of these appointments apparently do not have a clear-cut job description. The situation is similar at the provincial level.

While many of these persons have no specific state work, all of them are paid handsomely, given luxury offices, expensive vehicles with several police vehicles for security that is staffed by several persons, as well as several other benefits, costing a hefty amount in each case. All of these persons can be sent home because a cabinet of about a dozen members can be easily made to look after the work of the state. The same should apply to the provincial governments.

There is also government security given to a number of politicians and their close relatives who are not holding any office or position. This should be immediately withdrawn. These people are affluent enough to hire their own security.

Instead of an austerity committee, there can be a blanket directive to reduce expenses by 25-50 per cent at all levels of governance within, say, six months. This can happen much sooner actually, but I am trying to be practical.

This should be followed by a public disclosure every three months of the actions taken and the expenditure thus far reduced, with performers being publicly acknowledged and non-performers shamed and shown the door.

If the will is there, things can happen quickly. When the will is not there, you form a committee. It is as simple as that.

Moin Mohajir
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2023