Government urged to drastically slash number of official vehicles

Agri Forum Pakistan (AFP) Chairman Dr Ibrahim Mughal has urged the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chief Minister Punjab to take immediate measures for slashing the number of vehicles being used by the bureaucracy to half, and checking the misappropriation being done in the name of repair or maintenance of these vehicles or government houses, which can help country to save Rs 150-200 billion per annum.
Mughal said if number of vehicles bearing green number plate was slashed to half then the country could save Rs 90 billion per annum on account of fuel of those vehicles as 70 percent of that fuel was used for personal work of officers and the staff. He also proposed that there should be a strong mechanism to check the irregularities being done on account of repair and maintenance of official residences, official vehicles and offices.
He alleged that 80 percent of the bill of such works was fraud and lie. "If we could save these expenses, Pakistan can save Rs 65 billion per annum giving more fiscal space for developmental works. These expenses are not serving the country or the masses but it is being pocketed by officers and the employees thus wasting Rs 150-200 billion of taxpayers' money every year," Mughal added.
Talking to media persons here on Saturday, Mughal also proposed that use of public transport by the employees should be promoted in all the departments except judiciary, health and education. He said Rs 150 billion thus saved could be used to provide food to 80 million population of the country on half price and in abundance. He said this amount could also be utilised to generate many new job opportunities.
Agri Forum Chairman feared that corrupt and looters would return to power after May 11 general elections, so the caretaker setup should take such revolutionary and positive steps for betterment and progress of the state and the masses. He said such steps should be introduced which the incoming rulers have to follow and abide by. Dr Ibrahim Mughal also alleged that official transport was utilised by the officers to visit clubs, gymkhana, shopping centres, recreational places, marriage and similar functions and pick and drop of their children from schools and colleges. He said that officers of only Grade 20 and above should be provided just one vehicle with proper documentation and log book of its usage and fuel expenses.