Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that no decision has yet been made regarding the introduction of the ninth pay scale. He said the government will decide after receiving the Pay Commission’s report. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday after a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Government Procurement, he noted that the Pay Commission is currently working on the matter and that he will meet with them within a day or two.

Ahmed explained that the commission comprises 21 members who will evaluate all aspects before publishing their report. Once the report is released, details about implementation and announcement timing will become clear. During the same meeting, he announced plans to train 60,000 drivers—40,000 new and 20,000 previously trained—in heavy vehicle operation, with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) organizing the program.

He also said a bridge will be built in Barishal under a joint government and OPEC Fund initiative. The Roads and Highways Department will implement the project on the Barishal (Dinerarpul)-Lakshmi Pasha-Dumki road, improving connectivity to remote areas of Bhola.