Islamabad: The federal government on Monday unveiled a nationwide austerity drive that includes a four-day work week for offices and a work-from-home policy for half of the workforce, as part of efforts to reduce fuel consumption and government spending.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the measures in a televised address after chairing a special meeting on austerity steps in light of prevailing regional tensions and rising global oil prices.
Under the new policy, public and private sector offices — except essential services — will operate four days a week, with 50 per cent of staff working from home. The policy will not apply to banks.
Fuel allocations for government vehicles will also be significantly reduced. Officials said the measures are expected to generate savings of billions of rupees at the federal level.
As part of the austerity drive, the government has also announced a series of spending cuts and administrative restrictions across federal and provincial departments.
Key austerity measures include:
Four-day work week for public and private sector offices, except essential services
Work-from-home policy for 50% staff in offices where possible
Banks exempt from the four-day work week policy
50% reduction in petrol and diesel allocations for government vehicles for the next two months
60% of government vehicles at federal and provincial levels to remain off the roads during this period
Operational vehicles such as buses, ambulances and motorcycles exempt from the fuel cuts
Cabinet ministers, advisers and special assistants to forgo salaries and allowances for two months
Members of national and provincial assemblies to face a 20% reduction in salaries and allowances for two months
Officials in Grade 20 and above earning over PKR 300,000 per month to face two days’ salary deduction
20% cut in the non-development budget for the fourth quarter across federal and provincial departments
Ban on foreign visits by ministers, advisers, special assistants and government officials, except where deemed necessary
Official dinners, Iftar parties and seminars in hotels suspended, with government venues to be used instead
Government meetings to be conducted online where possible
All outdoor government events, including horse and cattle shows, postponed
Educational institutions closed from March 10 to 31, with online classes allowed and examinations continuing as scheduled
District Petroleum Monitoring Committees to be formed to monitor fuel supply
Track-and-trace system for petroleum products to be developed by the Punjab IT Board
Strict action against hoarding and profiteering, with provincial governments directed to ensure enforcement
Authorities said the fuel cuts alone are expected to save around PKR 4.5 billion at the federal level, while the reduction in non-development spending could generate an additional PKR 22 billion in savings.
The government has directed all provincial administrations to implement the announced measures and ensure compliance across departments and institutions.
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