Govt vehicles.

IN desperate need for some austerity, we should consider the savings that could be made by withdrawing just one single perk; the official vehicles. Pakistan, one of the poorest countries of the world, has an amazingly high number of vehicles allocated to government officials. Apparently, the arrangement is meant for official use, but misuse of such vehicles for personal and family purposes is common and perfectly acceptable to all concerned.

Federal and provincial government officials continue to enjoy such perks at taxpayers' expense.

In addition to the cost of the vehicles, the government also pays for fuel and maintenance. The package in most cases includes a driver as well.

What stops the government from withdrawing 90 per cent of all these vehicles? The remaining 10pc shall be kept in common pools to be used on a need basis, but never for pick-and-drop from home. In the developed world, even...