Mushahid lauds armed forces’ austerity measures amid economic crisis   

ISLAMABAD: Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence, stated on Thursday that the Pakistani armed forces stood with the country during the current economic crisis and expressed their resolve to combat the difficulties and inflation by continuing to operate effectively with the limited resources at their disposal. The chairman declared, “We are together in our determination to conserve resources and take austerity measures to ensure rational utilization of public funds,” during an in-camera meeting of the Committee held here. The Public Sector Development Programme (PDSP) (proposed by the Ministry for the years 2023–2024) was thoroughly examined by the committee. The committee received a thorough update on the state of the various PSDP projects, including cost, duration, throw forward, and projected demand.

The Committee applauded the efforts of the armed forces in rationalizing the expenditure without compromising their operational needs and capabilities while receiving a briefing on the efforts by the Armed Forces (all three Service) to promote austerity and cost-cutting in unnecessary expenditure, especially savings in foreign exchange. The committee was informed that sincere efforts were being made as part of the Austerity Plan to reduce all unnecessary spending. The authorities reiterated that we are ready and able to respond appropriately in all challenging circumstances. Along with other senior officers from the attached, the meeting was attended by Senators Anwar ul Haq Kakar, Umer Farooq, Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi, and Lt. Gen. (Retd) Hamood Uz Zaman Khan.