Specifies that measures for which no precise period has been defined will remain applicable until further notice
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: Radio Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended several austerity measures aimed at reducing fuel consumption until June 13 to tackle the ongoing fuel crisis amid the US-Iran conflict.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, “In view of the recommendations of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Additional Fuel Economy and Austerity Measures, the Prime Minister was pleased to extend the applicability of the following additional austerity measures until June 13.”
The notification further stated that key austerity measures include a 50 per cent reduction in fuel supply for official vehicles, 60 per cent of official vehicles would be grounded and a complete ban on foreign visits and travel would be enforced, with exceptions specified in previous notifications.
“Other additional austerity and fuel economy measures, as notified from time to time through the notifications of this division, shall continue to remain in force for the periods specified in the respective notifications,” the statement said.
The Cabinet Division also clarified that measures for which no specific period or end date had been defined would remain applicable until further notice.
Earlier in a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz, President Asif Zardari ordered the use of all possible measures to reduce the impact of inflation on the people.
The president said that despite the difficult geographical and regional situation, tensions in the Middle East and supply chain disruption, maximum relief must be provided to the people.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, in a televised address to the nation in March, had unveiled several energy-saving and austerity measures to avoid fuel shortages.
He announced a four-day work week and a work-from-home policy, which included a 50% reduction in fuel allocated to government vehicles, except ambulances. In addition, 60% of vehicles used by government services have been taken off the roads.
The prime minister said cabinet members, including ministers, advisers and special assistants, would not receive their salaries for two months, while parliamentarians’ salaries would be cut by 25%.
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“Expenditures of all government departments, except salaries, would be reduced by 20%,” he added.
It was also announced that senior civil servants of level 20 and above, earning more than Rs 300,000 per month, would be deducted two days’ salary, which would be used to provide relief to the public.
A complete ban has been imposed on the purchase of vehicles, furniture, air conditioners and other equipment by government ministries as part of cost-cutting measures.
Additionally, a complete ban on foreign visits by federal and provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants and other government officials, except for trips deemed “essential to the national interest”, was also implemented.
