On our dime

Last week, the prime minister more than doubled the size of the federal cabinet, which now has a record 51 members. Is this really necessary in the prevailing economic situation? Surprisingly, this decision came up just before the IMF's team's ongoing visit to Pakistan for the country’s first biannual review under the Extended Fund Facility programme. Certainly, lenders like the IMF will look into it closely. With this move, the government has set aside its own austerity policy. The nation cannot afford a bloated cabinet as it is a burden on them, particularly during a time of severe economic hardship.

It is obvious that with this expansion of the cabinet it will increase government expenditure. The government should focus on the importance of rightsizing initiatives and how to stop wasteful spending. Our economy is in the ICU and in desperate need of someone to stop the bleeding. This can only be done when our ruling elite will alter their habit of lavish spending at the cost of the taxpayer.

Dr Alfred Charles

Karachi