A prominent economist, Dr. Kaiser Bengali, has resigned from three major government committees in protest against the federal government’s austerity measures, according to news reported on Saturday.
In his resignation letter to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Cabinet Secretary Kamran Afzal, Dr. Bengali expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to cost-cutting. He acknowledged that while cost-reduction efforts were evident, the strategies employed were fundamentally flawed.
Dr. Bengali had earlier proposed substantial cost-cutting measures, including the closure of 17 divisions and 50 government departments. His recommendations aimed at reducing inefficiencies by targeting lower-grade government employees rather than senior officers. He argued that this approach would address inefficiencies more effectively.
However, Dr. Bengali criticized the current policy of dismissing lower-grade employees (Grades 1 to 16) while retaining higher-ranking officers (Grades 17 to 22). He contended that removing senior officers could result in savings of up to Rs 30 billion annually, a measure he believes would be more effective than the current strategy.
The committees from which Dr. Bengali resigned include the Austerity Committee, the Right-Sizing Committee, and the Government Expenditure Reduction Committee. His resignation from these key panels highlights his growing frustration with the government’s austerity policies.
Dr. Bengali also raised concerns about the broader economic implications of the current measures. He warned that the economy is nearing collapse, worsened by insufficient support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other financial institutions. Additionally, he highlighted the severe impact on household budgets, leading to increased financial distress and ‘self-harm’ among the population.
Dr. Bengali’s resignation underscores the deepening crisis and growing discontent with the government’s handling of economic challenges. His departure from the committees signals a critical turning point in the debate over austerity measures and their impact on the nation.
