Govt bans discretionary funds of president, PM and ministers
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In what Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry described as "a historic decision", Prime Minister Imran Khan's cabinet on Friday decided to ban the use of discretionary funds of the president, premier and MNAs in view of the new government's austerity drive.
Chaudhry, who held a press conference after a cabinet meeting, claimed that the previous government had used Rs51 billion in discretionary funds in the last year alone, of which Rs21bn was used by former PM Nawaz Sharif, while Rs30bn was given to MNAs to spend.
Chaudhry, while observing how Sharif would announce development projects during public gatherings, especially around the time the Panama Papers were released, described the act of spending money impulsively as "contempt of taxpayers' money".
He added that before any infrastructural project is announced, it would be discussed in Parliament and then expenditure would be made.
Chaudhry also said that it had been decided that PM Khan would not use the special plane provided to premiers for foreign visits, nor would he travel first class.
Instead he will choose to travel in "club class", Chaudhry said, referring to a class of air travel that is below first class, but higher than economy class. He added that all ministers would also travel in club class.
Along with the prime minister, the president, foreign minister, the Senate chairman and national assembly speaker will no longer have the prerogative of flying first class, he added.
When asked by a reporter if these measures apply to the chief justice of Pakistan as well, the information minister replied: "Yes, the chief justice has also been requested to do the same".
Working timings for govt employees
Referring to a summary regarding a possible new work week and timings for government employees that was discussed during the cabinet meeting, Chaudhry announced that government employees will now work from 9am-5pm instead of 8am-3pm.
He added that Saturday would remain a holiday, quelling earlier fears that people might have to work six days a week.
Audit of mass transit projects
Chaudhry announced that the cabinet had also decided that a forensic audit of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mass transit systems must be conducted.
"A forensic audit of the projects is to be carried out and, if necessary, the Federal Investigation Agency can then carry out an investigation," he added.
Additionally, the cabinet has also approved urban tree plantation plans for Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar, for which the environment minister will provide details next month, he said.
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Comments (101) Closed
Aug 24, 2018 06:45pm
make sure that all the secretaries in the govt. be in office in time. That is where the issue starts.
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Aug 24, 2018 06:51pm
Good move.
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Aug 24, 2018 06:57pm
People should be given the option of flexi hours, that is people should be allowed to choose hours like 8 to 4 or for. 9 to 5 depending upon their circumstances.For parents with school going children 8 is more suitable than 9,where as for those who do not have such responsibilties 9 is a better option
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Aug 24, 2018 06:58pm
Flexi hours is a better option
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Aug 24, 2018 07:00pm
Must have 6 days working
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Aug 24, 2018 07:02pm
Whatever the working hours of government offices, please make their workers more efficient and productive. Just like workers in private companies where workers have to work harder to keep their jobs, same thing for government workers. Many come in late, don't work properly and leave early. Time to become a productive worker, serve the public for the money paid by tax payers. Thank you.
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Aug 24, 2018 07:04pm
Good decision.
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Aug 24, 2018 07:04pm
Government servants are Serpents and nothing else.Who is going to make them work till 5 pm?
They come to office after 11 am. After that they prepare for namaz and 1 hr goes in Dhur prayers. Then there is Chai sessions and Asar prayers.
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Aug 24, 2018 07:05pm
I think friday needs to be a holiday instead of sunday. Most of our workforce resides in gcc. I would like to assert friday as a holiday
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Aug 24, 2018 07:05pm
No use of changing hours of work because, those spoiled will never follow working hours. The big bosses still come at 11 AM, go on tea break work for an hour, then go at 1 PM, for prayer break at 2PM, for lunch, come back briefly for checking calls etc., and then close at 3 PM for the end of the day. They hardly remain in office for a total of not more than 2 hours.
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Aug 24, 2018 07:11pm
I am not able to get why PTI is so desperate and all is all busy on cosmetics step which will not solve anything except to make a news and create some noise on social media. It is not the issue of 8 to 3 or 9 to 5 issue is to work. Problem is that people in government office simply do not work rather all religious, social and political issues are discussed during the office. Cars and houses are finalized and how to do economical grocery is explored. My dear IK there is no quick solution to this. Our real problem are religious extremism, lack of tolerance, international isolation and our NEW GOVERNMENT in NEW PAKISTAN is all busy to decide about office hours, discussion about if IK should live in PM house or not and what to with NS and MNS. Hats off
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Aug 24, 2018 07:25pm
Good move. It makes sense.
It will be good for private companies as well as common people who deal with federal offices.
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Aug 24, 2018 07:26pm
good to align with rest of the world. working 9-5 is standard in west.
Stores open late in Pakistan so 5pm should not be bad.
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Aug 24, 2018 07:27pm
Good move.
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Aug 24, 2018 07:32pm
While the change is appreciable, problems may arise because of similar working hours by the private sector. With the present roads it will become more difficult to commute due to congestion on the streets. A more rational time will be from nine am to four pm.
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Aug 24, 2018 07:33pm
less daily time, with Saturday on is a better option for human life
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Aug 24, 2018 07:39pm
Good but we have to fix the sarkari babus who don't treat ordinary citizens like humans
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Aug 24, 2018 07:39pm
We should bring lateral entry into the civil services like many countries in the world. Everyone at any age should be able to serve in public office.
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Aug 24, 2018 07:44pm
Change is in the air. Hope that it continues!!
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Aug 24, 2018 07:45pm
Nice decision
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Aug 24, 2018 07:47pm
That’s the opposite of day light savings concept. The non bureaucrats who do not have concurrent jobs work second shifts to meet thier expenses.
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Aug 24, 2018 07:52pm
This means, there is NO unnecessary expenditures and wasting tax payers money on silly things.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:00pm
Tabdeeli aa nahi rahi, Tabdeeli aa gayi hai!
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Aug 24, 2018 08:01pm
Tabdeeli Ayi Ray..... Tabdeeli Ayi Ray!!!
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Aug 24, 2018 08:05pm
Excellent, austerity is beginning at home.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:06pm
Bold step by govt.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:09pm
way to go boy
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Aug 24, 2018 08:10pm
No more pocket money for PM and his close MPA's - this will save significant amount of tax payers money. This is a start of many change to come in the near future.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:15pm
The best way to support Pakistan is: work hard, work long and wirk smart
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Aug 24, 2018 08:17pm
The Parliament must strip the discretion of President to pardon someone against financial crimes, and the immunity of President be abolished. All such discretion and power against Art 25 of Constitution and against Islamic injunctions be stripped.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:18pm
Full throttle !
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Aug 24, 2018 08:20pm
Dear PTI, perform and prove in the next 5 years. You're off to a good start.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:22pm
If such measure implemented I m sure within a year we will see big difference
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Aug 24, 2018 08:24pm
Well done. Excellent steps and austerity measures should go in all institutions.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:25pm
The President has been "ordered" to travel by club class.
The Chief Justice has been "requested" to travel in Club Class.
What about COAS ???
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Aug 24, 2018 08:28pm
Very nice ! Small savings across the board will go a long way !
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Aug 24, 2018 08:34pm
Walking the talk. Bravo!
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Aug 24, 2018 08:36pm
The root cause of habitual begging bowl, great decision by government. Funds should be institutionalized rather than at the descretion of MNAs and MPAs.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:38pm
great decision regarding discretionary funds. I have no doubt that they have wasted huge amounts of tax payers money on vanity projects in local areas to gain votes at the expense of projects of national importance.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:42pm
Is "Establishment" part of austerity drive
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Aug 24, 2018 08:46pm
Hi Does this apply to COAS and Senior military officials also? Will the new government also tell us how the military is spending our tax PKR? The nation should be provided information of how the military spends our money.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:49pm
Good decision. You can not spend what you do not have.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:58pm
Indeed its historic.
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Aug 24, 2018 08:59pm
Agree with all except 9-5 work hours. The country has mostly summer out of 12 months. Going to work at 8 am is not an issue. It also saves electricity. Stopping work at 4 pm in winter gives time to women to return home in daylight especially in unsafe neighborhoods
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Aug 24, 2018 08:59pm
Good decisions
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Aug 24, 2018 09:00pm
Excellent decisions by the cabinet with 1 exception that the Head of State President of Pakistan should travel in First Class.
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Aug 24, 2018 09:00pm
Discretionary Funds = Invisible Funds
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Aug 24, 2018 09:02pm
Good measures by the new government.
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Aug 24, 2018 09:02pm
Well done, PTI govt. Keep up the good work
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Aug 24, 2018 09:04pm
Good announcements specially increasing the working hours of government employees. Another measure is required to check if they come and go on time. That can be achieved by installing a biometric system in all government offices.
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Aug 24, 2018 09:20pm
Government is going in right direction. Regarding government office timings, I will like government to bring another change. Most of Pakistanis are Muslims, they get up early morning for fajar prayers i.e by about 5 am during summer and 6.30 am during winter. Period between fajar prayers and office commencement time(9.0 am) is not utilised properly(wasted) It is suggested during summer offices timing commences from 7.0 am and last upto 1.0 pm. six days a week. Let people go home at 1.0 pm to offer Zohar prayers at home , take lunch and rest for about one and a half hours and utilise the evening time in gainful activities. Shops should close at 9.0 pm and Tv channels at 11 pm.
Home ministry please consider this suggestion seriously.
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Aug 24, 2018 09:23pm
Mr. PM, please also look into the expensive cars everyone drives. Those Mercedes Benz and BMW automobiles cost a lot of money. Now once the country is out of this financial jam, maybe one day the government can go back to these high end cars, for now, a bigger Toyota or a Nissan, even Honda can get people from A to B like any other car.
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Aug 24, 2018 09:26pm
Excellent moves. PM should be lauded for these moves.
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Aug 24, 2018 09:28pm
Brilliant
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Aug 24, 2018 09:34pm
Should have made Friday a holiday and Sunday a working day.
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Aug 24, 2018 09:35pm
ALL GREAT STEPS!!!
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Aug 24, 2018 09:35pm
What about discretionary and even unaudited funds for army and various covert agencies?
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Aug 24, 2018 09:36pm
Amzing moves! Ministers should fly in club class as they belong to a country who have severe budget and debt crisis.
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Aug 24, 2018 09:49pm
these are not cosmetic measures but concrete steps required to lower the cost of government expenditure. this is commendable indeed. overall effect of cost saving will be huge. keep it up PTI!!
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Aug 24, 2018 09:57pm
Good Move by new government
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Aug 24, 2018 09:58pm
there goes the pocket money!
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Aug 24, 2018 10:00pm
Salam Sir. Very well done. Please keep it up this is called tightening the belt!
Sir, audit of all government depts and ministries by a reputable accounting firm must be done. Independent auditor from one of the reputable firms is likely to high light the issues which may never come into light with AGPR. I knew a person working for AGPR. It was clearer that objectivity was totally defeated and of course NO skills to audit and what to audit!
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Aug 24, 2018 10:03pm
Good start. Please keep it continued for whole 5 years.
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Aug 24, 2018 10:03pm
Tabdeeli is here. IA PK becomes a role model for other muslim countries.
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Aug 24, 2018 10:13pm
V good measures. Keep going. I am at ur back to support u.
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Aug 24, 2018 10:13pm
For practical and logistical reason alone, the use of a private plane for the premiere, in my opinion, is justified.
Please think over this decision.
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Aug 24, 2018 10:23pm
Good job. In fact govt. offices should have electronic systems to keep track in and out of all staff.
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Aug 24, 2018 10:31pm
Every step, a step in the right direction . The real question is, will the grunts in uniform also travel in club class, or will they just buy their first class tickets from their secret funds or the profits from LNG sales.
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Aug 24, 2018 10:35pm
I cant believe it.This is huge amount left for corrupt people to spend the way they want.
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Aug 24, 2018 10:38pm
Most of the low grade gov employees do part time job after office hours for making both ends meet. I don't know PTI gov know about something related to gov. Total working hours are 42 in a week for either 6 or 5 working days. Now Saturday is on so office timings can only be 9 to 4 which will make these poor employees suffer.
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Aug 24, 2018 10:44pm
A good move.
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Aug 24, 2018 10:45pm
Sounds very good and efficient. Hope it works.
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Aug 24, 2018 10:59pm
The great Khan is clearing rubbish created for more than 70 years.
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Aug 24, 2018 11:01pm
Bravo!
Now it is time to immediately transfer these funds to the Local Bodies.
When will PTI hold the direct elections for the City Nazims?
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Aug 24, 2018 11:03pm
Good steps. Moving in the positive direction
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Aug 24, 2018 11:14pm
Excellent
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Aug 24, 2018 11:21pm
Its good but 21st century need mega projects and eGovt. Tell us something on egovt so that we bypass local bhagwans
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Aug 24, 2018 11:59pm
Bold decisions! Hope the desired results are achieved.
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Aug 25, 2018 12:08am
Austerity at the top will certainly send the right message. However, for the PM to travel on commercial airlines, first, business or coach, is not very practical, nor very smart. For logistical reasons alone it is a no-no.
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Aug 25, 2018 12:16am
Great news!
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Aug 25, 2018 12:32am
Wonderful. A very good decision.
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Aug 25, 2018 12:34am
Excellent initial steps
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Aug 25, 2018 12:44am
I haven’t read the full article but just want to ask if this is applicable to the army also. Is our very own intelligence agency, that I have defended on so many forums, part of this crackdown? If not, I am ashmed.
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Aug 25, 2018 12:50am
Way to go. Sixer in the first over.
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Aug 25, 2018 01:15am
Excellent excellent move
Please add one more on thing on it
Ask every government employee to write every month
What he has contributed and achieved being at the job. Coming to job is important but what contribute is important as well.
One humble suggestion. Please make 50% female federal employee participation as a regulation. 50-50 gender representation in the federal government - the impact on the economy and on the society will be unphenominal — a futuristic model
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Aug 25, 2018 01:39am
Why 9-5? Those are bankers hours in most countries which implies a light workload.
8am - 5pm is considered a Normal workday with 1 hour in between for lunch.
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Aug 25, 2018 02:21am
No point in making rules like this . It should be done through a constitutional amendment. or passed in Parliament.
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Aug 25, 2018 02:31am
Cutting down of unnecessary expenses by the new government is positive. The government workers should be in their seat at 9:00 am, pleasantries should be done before 9:00 am, this should be properly checked.
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Aug 25, 2018 03:19am
@Iram qureshi it's not productive. Because departments are inter dependent. some ppl will wait for colleagues to arrive to get the job done in the morning. Similarly ppl leaving early in evening might be required to approve documents/task that may be passion on to them after 4 pm.
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Aug 25, 2018 04:16am
Undoubtedly great steps. Can't demand austerity from people, unless one's own belt is tightened. Start a comprehensive customer service program for all government offices that have first line of contact with the public. Incorporate escalation procedures that are swift and mandate timely response by department heads upto director-level of all such departments. Adopt international standards laid out by ISO. (In fact, incorporate ISO certifications in all public or private areas where such certification exists. Empower NAB or other i9mpartial watchdog party to qualify them for ISO certifications). Also start an email, phone & in-person feedback system with citizen's committees monitoring each respective public-contact/public-service department. Matters should be immedciately taken care of before they become a news item.
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Aug 25, 2018 04:19am
Very bold step.
Well done Imran Khan and team.
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Aug 25, 2018 05:02am
@Chaya that's IF they even show up!
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Aug 25, 2018 05:25am
@Iram qureshi . You need another person to monitor when they leave or it’s ok to leave at 4 for everyone ? Coming to work is flexible hays fine but as a nation I am sure everyone will go home at 4pm. Flexible timings are not fit for Pakistan mindset. Not at all
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Aug 25, 2018 05:31am
No free luxurious houses and cars enjoyed by the high income echelon employees. Rental income and utility charges from those would help the economy.
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Aug 25, 2018 06:01am
@T Why?
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Aug 25, 2018 06:21am
Time register should be maintained by the head of the department to ensure
People show on time ,in summer the hours should start one and half hourafter fajr , it’s cool and it’s good time in the summer , and the children schools should start one hour after fajr, so they can scape the heat during summer, the winter timing should be an hour after sunrise ,so they can escape the cold mornings , these thoughts be given serious attention .life for school going children be made easy , and discipline and standard of education be established in govt. schools.
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Aug 25, 2018 06:22am
What are you doing about the Economy?. Have you hired any Economi MBAs can not solve your problems.
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Aug 25, 2018 06:43am
Excellent initiatives. However, public sector working models in some other countries should have been studied / explored before making final decisions.
Work life balance is as important as work, so good decision to maintain 5 day working. Office opening hours should be based on departmental needs and flexibility allowed wherever possible. Rota systems may be introduced to allow flexibility esp to female workers.
What is most important is output and productivity during working hours, which should be monitored on similar lines as in the developed world.
ACR system which is used to blackmail subordinates should be replaced with open and fair two way performance management systems to assess employees against performance standards and targets with appeal rights being available to challenge ratings given by managers.
Attendance management systems and occupational health initiatives should also be introduced to monitor employees' attendance and safeguard their well-being.
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Aug 25, 2018 06:46am
Tabdeeli is here.
Long live Pakistan.
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Aug 25, 2018 06:59am
@Iram qureshi , I agree 8 to 3 , 4 days a week like Europe is fine. On account of traffic it is better to work from home for Government employees as they will be able to understand problem of people coming to meet them during this time, better and in confidentiality.
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Aug 25, 2018 07:17am
PIA employees are flying first class as if they own the plane. Stop PIA employees and families from flying FREE.
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