PESHAWAR (Nadir Khan): The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has issued a comprehensive austerity policy for the current fiscal year 2024-25. According to the policy released by the Finance Department, several cost-cutting measures have been introduced to manage expenditures and save funds effectively.
Key highlights of the policy include a ban on the creation of new posts to reduce costs, with exceptions allowed only with the Chief Minister’s approval for development projects. Additionally, the purchase of vehicles will be strictly limited to essential services such as ambulances, fire brigades, tractors, trucks, buses, passenger vehicles, prisoner transport, and rescue vehicles.
The policy also imposes restrictions on official expenditures for foreign education workshops and seminars. Furthermore, hosting workshops and seminars in five-star hotels will be prohibited to curb unnecessary spending.
There will be stringent restrictions on seeking provincial funding for medical treatment abroad. Contract extensions for existing contract employees will only be granted with valid reasons, ensuring that expenditures are justified.
As part of the austerity measures, all departments are mandated to maintain their spending within the allocated budgets and refrain from requesting supplementary or additional grants.
To boost provincial revenue, regular meetings of the Provincial Revenue Review Committee will be held under the chairmanship of the Minister of Finance. This initiative aims to ensure financial discipline and optimize resource utilization across the province.