ISLAMABAD(National Times)- The federal government reintroduced austerity measures on Thursday in an effort to conserve fuel amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, setting 9pm as the time for closing markets and reducing fuel provision for official vehicles by 50 per cent for a period of three months.
The measures are to be implemented with immediate effect, the Cabinet Division’s notification detailing the government’s directives said.
According to the Sept 17 notification, seen by Dawn, businesses and commercial establishments are to close at following timings:
Shops, markets, shopping malls and bazaars, as well as departmental, grocery, general and kiryana stores are to close by 9pm
Marriage halls, marquees and all other commercial places where festive events are held are to close by 10pm
Restaurants, cafés, eateries, and food outlets, as well as standalone fruit and vegetable shops are to close by 11pm. Takeaway and home delivery services are exempted from the restriction
Pharmacies, medical and medical supplies’ stores, medical laboratories, clinics, hospitals, standalone bakeries, standalone tandoors, standalone milk and dairy shops, fuel and CNG stations, electrical vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities and sports/padel courts, IT companies and call centres are also exempted from any time restrictions.
Moreover, just a single dish should be served at all marriage-related functions or events, the notification said.
The Cabinet Division also detailed comprehensive instructions for government entities and officials.
These include the reduction in fuel provision by 50pc for official vehicles for three months.
Vehicles of armed forces, civil armed forces, vehicles in use of law enforcement agencies, those used for essential services and those in use of the Federal Board of Revenue are excluded from this restriction barring those of administrative or non-operational formations of these entities.
This measure is also not applicable in the case of development projects, according to the notification.
The government has also announced a 5pc reduction in the budget for non-employee related expenditures for FY2026-27, with deduction to be made on a monthly basis.
“This measure will also apply in the case of foreign missions and the officers/officials, belonging to any occupational group or service, posted in these missions; however, obligations relating to their rents, educational fees and medical care arrangements will be met,” the notification read, adding that this measure too was not applicable in case of development projects.
According to the notification, the government also imposed a complete ban on the purchase of vehicles of all types, with the restriction not applicable to development projects.
It also prohibited the purchase of all durable goods, except IT-related equipment and services, while clarifying that the measure would not apply to development projects.
It further imposed a three-month ban on foreign visits and travel, including obligatory trips for government officials. The restriction, however, would not apply to scholarships offered by international development partners, or to training and courses arranged through the Economic Affairs Division or under institutional agreements of the Government of Pakistan.
According to the notification, Pakistan’s ambassador or high commissioner concerned would represent the country at obligatory and important events during the period.
However, in case of “unavoidable visits” all ministers, advisors, ministers of state, special assistants to the premier, parliamentary and government functionaries shall “travel only in economy class”.
The government further directed that official meetings will be preferably held through teleconferencing, except intra-city meetings.
“No official dinners shall be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations,” the notification added.
The notification also prohibited all government-funded official seminars, trainings and conferences. However, where such events were deemed unavoidable, government facilities, including auditoriums and committee rooms, would be used to host them.
It further said requests for exemptions from any of the measures could be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures. The committee would then submit its recommendations to the prime minister for approval.
Earlier this week, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the government was considering reviving austerity measures introduced during a previous fuel conservation drive amid renewed hostilities in the Middle East.
The government had earlier imposed austerity measures on March 9 to mitigate the impact of the ongoing US-Iran war. These included a 50 per cent cut in fuel allowances for official vehicles, salary cuts for lawmakers, and a partial work-from-home policy in the public sector.
The government ended the measures on June 19, except for market timings.
The move comes amid renewed hostilities in the Middle East, which have disrupted major oil supply routes and led to a rise in fuel prices.
In addition to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz stemming from the US-Iran war, trade through Bab al-Mandab — which has become a vital route for Saudi oil exports in recent months — is also facing a growing threat from Houthi rebels.
