In recent days, there have been rumors circulating that the government has instructed to stop payment of pay and pension to its employees. Former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar took to Twitter to dispel these rumors, stating that they are fake news and that spreading such rumors can cause harm to the national economic interests.
Dar urged the public to refrain from circulating such reports or news without verifying them from the concerned ministry. It is important to note that spreading false information can lead to panic and uncertainty among citizens, which can have adverse effects on the overall economy. As such, it is crucial to verify news before sharing it with others, especially on sensitive topics such as government policies and financial matters.
Earlier reported by Geo news that The Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) was asked by the Ministry of Finance and Revenue to stop clearing salaries, as a result of the current economic crisis and the nation’s deteriorating financial situation.
The ministry further instructed to cease attached departments’ clearings till further notice. On Friday night, official sources revealed that the operational cost-related releases encountered challenges primarily as a result of the nation’s economic difficulties.
The reporter attempted to get a remark from the Finance Division officials but got no answer. A request for comment was made to Ishaq Dar. Although the minister suggested it might not be genuine, he promised to follow up after finding out. Unfortunately, our correspondent did not receive a response until the report was submitted at 1 am on Saturday.
According to sources, they went to the AGPR office to pay their outstanding bills but were told that due to the current difficult financial situation, the Ministry of Finance had instructed them to suspend paying all obligations, including salaries.
The exact reasons why the instant suspension of bill clearance occurred could not be determined. One main explanation for this action could be the ongoing financial difficulties. According to the sources, the salaries and pensions of institutions involved in the defense have already been approved for the following month.
Ishaq Dar while meeting on February 22 with a delegation of M/s Rothschild & Co had said “the government was steering the economy towards stability and growth adding that “the government is committed to completing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program and fulfilling all international obligations.”
On February 20, the National Assembly unanimously passed the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023, also known as the “mini-budget,” which was a requirement for applying for the IMF’s $1.1 billion tranche. This action demonstrated Dar’s dedication to unlocking the tranche.
The plan raises the sales tax on imports, including everything from automobiles and home appliances to chocolates and cosmetics, from 17 to 25%. There is now an 18% general sales tax, up from 17%.
When the bill was being passed, the minister told the lower chamber of parliament that “we will have to make difficult decisions” and that “the prime minister will also disclose austerity measures in the coming days.”
