B Mirror Report : Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Economic Adviser to the interim government, has stated that a decision regarding the new pay structure for government employees will be taken after receiving the report from the Salary Commission. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Government Procurement Advisory Committee at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he also highlighted the government’s long-term, coordinated plans to address the energy crisis and announced action against auditors of five merged Islamic banks.
On the new pay scale, Dr. Ahmed said the 21-member Salary Commission is reviewing the matter in detail, considering opinions submitted both in writing and orally. The commission will submit its recommendations to the government soon. When asked if the interim government could announce the pay scale beforehand, he said the matter will become clear once the commission completes its work. Separate arrangements are also being considered for the judiciary and defense sectors.
Regarding the energy sector, the adviser noted that while energy supply remains a major challenge, the government has adopted long-term, coordinated strategies covering both electricity and fuel, including LP gas. Measures include offshore gas exploration and extraction, coal utilization strategies, and coal mine management.
On the possible impact of international instability surrounding Venezuela and Iran on global oil prices, Dr. Ahmed said Venezuela’s energy sector is relatively independent, and the situation is being closely monitored, including responses by the United States.
Responding to a recent TIB report suggesting bureaucrats have more influence than advisers, he remarked that while some changes have occurred, expectations cannot be fully met due to certain limitations. Effective implementation requires skilled personnel, coordination, sincerity, and cooperation; planning alone is not enough.
Regarding the five merged Islamic banks, he stated that measures will be taken against auditing firms that examined their financial statements, and shareholder involvement in purchases is also under review.
On inflation, Dr. Ahmed emphasized that price rises are not merely a function of interest rates or supply-demand but are directly linked to market management, public behavior, and good governance. He noted that simply deploying inspectors or magistrates to control prices is ineffective in any country.
