Shehbaz Sharif: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced have announced a series of austerity measures to save fuel amid the Middle East Crisis. The austerity measures have reminded the Pakistanis of the famous Imran Khan Meme, “Aap Ne Sabse Pehle Ghabrana Nahi Hai.”
Austerity Measures By Shehbaz Sharif
The Pakistani government has announced that all schools in the country would remain closed for 2 weeks while government offices excluding banks would open only for 4 days a week.
Sharif also announced that 50 percent of government departments’ staff would work from home to save fuel; this would not apply to essential services. Moreover, fuel supplies to government departments would be cut by 50 percent, with exemptions for operational vehicles like ambulances and public buses.
It was also announced that 60 percent of Pakistani government’s vehicles at all federal and provincial government offices will remain grounded. Also, federal cabinet and provincial cabinet ministers would not take allowances and salaries for the next 2 months. Also, salaries of federal and provincial legislature members would be cut by 25 percent for 2 months.
Shehbaz Sharif also announced that all BS-20 government officers at federal and provincial offices (with the exception of those in education and health sectors) earning 300,000 Pakistani Rupees or more would have to forgo two days’ salary.
Social Media Reactions
A user commented, “Yeh bechara, Bharat ko harane wala tha.” Another commented, “Only Gulfstream GVII-G500 luxury jet for Maryam and Munir will running upon Lahore for 4 to 6 hours for their entertainment.”
A social media user wrote, “Wo sab to thik hai, mahar piche FC Barcelona ka flag kyun laga rakha hai?” A user stated, “What’s the use of Shehbaz Sharif licking Donald Trump’s boots if USA cannot even send Venezuelan oil to Pakistan?” Another wrote, “Yeh bolne ke liye PM aya, apne yahan joint sec. level ka officer ek press brief se kar deta hai.”
