Newly-sworn Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has started an austerity drive to reduce debt in the country. Khan has even decided to sell his official bullet-proof cars. By doing this, Imran Khan aims to encourage the rich in paying their taxes.
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| Imran Khan announced he would live in a small three-bedroom house instead of the designated prime minister's residence. |
Imran Khan, who also talked about his vision of reshaping Pakistan during his first address as a Prime Minister, also added that he wants to reduce poverty in Pakistan by slashing debt levels in the country.
"No country can prosper like this. A country must stand on its own feet," he said.
Imran Khan was sworn-in as prime minister on August 18 after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came to power after winning last month's election.
Imran Khan's approach towards eradicating corruption proved to be a great push in attracting the middle class and young voters of Pakistan.
Khan said that former central bank governor Ishrat Husain would lead a task-force to drive austerity. Imran Khan also announced that he will be living in a small three-bedroom house instead of the designated prime minister's residence.
Imran Khan also criticised Pakistan's colonial-era mindset along with the lavish lifestyles of the elite in Pakistan.
According to a report published by Tribune.com.pk in June, Pakistan's government bought 35 vehicles at a cost of Rs 205 million for ministers working under Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
However, the report said that no allocations were made in the budget passed by Pakistan's parliament last June. The cost of the 10 Land Cruisers, two 2,500 cc Toyota Vigos, 20 1,300 cc vehicles and three 2,500 cc Toyota double-cabins was met by giving supplementary grants.
Another discrepancy was noticed in this case was that under the rules, federal and state ministers can only use vehicles up to 1,800 cc but despite that, vehicles over 1,800 cc were bought for ministers in Pakistan. Flouting the rule, the government purchased two 2,500 cc Toyota Vigos at a cost of Rs7.6 million, according to Supplementary Demands for Grants and Appropriations 2014-15.
However, a senior official from Pakistan's finance ministry said that those cars were bought because security features are not available in cars within the 1,800 cc limit.
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