In a recurring pattern, yet another comprehensive study has brought to light the continued lavish allocation of trillions of rupees by the Pakistani government towards the remuneration and pensions of unproductive public servants. This study prompts a vital question: Will the public sector ever willingly adopt reforms aimed at curtailing its own privileges and perks?

A recent report from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) exposes the staggering expenditure by the federal government, revealing a stark reality. It delves into the allocation of more than Rs 8 trillion, covering the salaries of 1.92 million employees, pension provisions, and a bewildering array of over 60 benefits and privileges. Furthermore, this expenditure remains shrouded in obscurity, with minimal insight into the value, outcomes, or impact on taxpayers.

Once again, the study has shed light on the government’s annual allocation of trillions of rupees toward the salaries and pensions of unproductive public servants. This raises a critical question: Will the public sector ever embrace reforms that reduce its own privileges and perks?

A report conducted by a five-member team from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), a government-run institution, reveals that the federal government expends more than Rs 8 trillion on remunerating 1.92 million employees, funding pensions, and offering over 60 different types of benefits and privileges. Even more concerning is the lack of transparency regarding the impact and contributions of these public servants to the taxpayers.

Unsurprisingly, the judiciary and civil service, particularly the Pakistan Administrative Services (formerly DMG), are the primary beneficiaries of these benefits. The report highlights their tendency to manipulate these privileges instead of allowing professionals from other cadres to excel and deliver results for the taxpayers.

While this information is not groundbreaking, it quantifies the significant drain of state funds into this system, confirming what many already know: public servants receive substantial non-monetary benefits that do not appear on their paychecks.

This situation underscores two unresolved issues. First, the government sector, particularly the bureaucracy, remains mired in inefficiency and corruption, with politicians often appointing their favorites without taxpayer input, perpetuating this costly status quo.

Second, the country faces a severe current account crisis, yet it continues to squander resources on unproductive sectors under its control. This flagrant misuse of funds will likely garner international attention, especially from entities providing high-interest loans to keep the country solvent, like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF has recommended streamlining the tax system by taxing the wealthy and providing relief to the less fortunate, but the government has not taken such actions. It may have no choice but to implement these reforms if future loans from the IMF are contingent on these changes.

Likewise, external pressure may be the catalyst needed to initiate reforms in public sector compensation. Continually providing bailouts while the state recklessly spends on its favored beneficiaries is nonsensical.

It appears that the realization that the old ways are unsustainable has yet to reach the highest levels of government, and basic reforms may need an external push to materialize.

In any case, there is no justification for such wasteful spending, especially when the current account is in dire straits. If the government fails to address these issues, it will be the honest taxpayers who continue to suffer the consequences of others’ excesses, corruption, theft, and incompetence.

In light of the findings, it becomes evident that two pressing issues remain unaddressed. First, the government sector, notably the bureaucracy, is plagued by inefficiency and corruption, with political favoritism dictating appointments and perpetuating an expensive status quo. Second, the current account crisis is compounded by the wanton expenditure on unproductive sectors under government control, attracting international scrutiny.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has offered recommendations to streamline the tax system and alleviate the burden on the less fortunate. However, the government’s reluctance to act may change if future loans are tied to these reforms.

It appears that external pressure may be the catalyst required to initiate the long-overdue reforms in public sector compensation. In any scenario, there is no justification for such reckless spending, especially when the current account is in dire straits. Failure to address these issues means that honest taxpayers will continue to bear the brunt of others’ excesses, corruption, theft, and incompetence. It is imperative that the government takes meaningful steps to rectify this situation and uphold the trust and financial stability of the nation.