Cash-strapped Pakistan bans red carpets at official events to cut down on expenses

NEW DELHI: The notification mentioned that red carpets will no longer be laid out for federal ministers and government officials at official events in the future, with the only exception being for foreign diplomats, according to several reports.
The government aims to save funds and encourage a more responsible approach to public finances by eliminating the use of red carpets.Prime Minister Sharif and his Cabinet members have also voluntarily decided to forego their salaries and perks, as part of the government’s commitment to promoting financial prudence and accountability.
This initiative mirrors the actions of President Asif Ali Zardari, who had also opted out of receiving salary and benefits due to the economic challenges faced by the country.
Sharif, who recently assumed office for the second time, emphasized that his government is planning to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for additional support amidst the country’s economic and security challenges. This move follows a staff-level agreement with the IMF for the disbursement of the final tranche of 1.1 billion US dollars.
(With inputs from agencies)