By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced a series of austerity and fuel conservation measures aimed at reducing public expenditure and conserving resources, including a 50 percent cut in fuel provision for official vehicles for three months.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on September 17, 2026, the measures have been approved on the recommendations of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures.
The notification stated that the reduction in fuel allocation would apply to official vehicles, excluding operational vehicles of the Armed Forces, Civil Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, essential services and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
However, the measure would apply to administrative and non-operational vehicles of these departments and institutions. Development projects have been excluded from the fuel reduction measure.
5% cut in non-ERE budget
The government has also approved a five percent reduction in the Non-Employee Related Expenditure (Non-ERE) budget for the entire fiscal year 2026-27.
The deduction will be made on a monthly basis and will also apply to foreign missions and officers posted abroad.
According to the notification, obligations related to rents, educational fees and medical care arrangements will continue to be met.
Ban on purchase of vehicles and other durable items
The federal government has imposed a complete ban on the purchase of vehicles of all types.
The notification clarified that the restriction would not apply to development projects.
A complete ban has also been imposed on the purchase of durable goods, except Information Technology (IT) equipment. Development projects have again been exempted from this restriction.
Restrictions on foreign visits
The government has imposed a three-month ban on foreign visits and travel, including obligatory visits, with exceptions for scholarships offered by international development partners, training and courses arranged through the Economic Affairs Division, or programmes conducted under institutional agreements with the Government of Pakistan.
The notification stated that Pakistan’s ambassadors and high commissioners would represent the country at obligatory and important events.
In case of unavoidable foreign visits, federal ministers, advisers, ministers of state, special assistants to the prime minister, parliamentarians and government officials will travel only in economy class.
Preference for online meetings
The government has directed that meetings should preferably be conducted through teleconferencing, except for intra-city meetings.
The notification also placed restrictions on official dinners, allowing them only in the case of visiting foreign delegations.
Restrictions on official seminars and conferences
A ban has been imposed on government-funded official seminars, training programmes and conferences.
However, in unavoidable cases, government venues such as auditoriums, committee rooms and other official facilities will be used instead of arranging events at external venues.
Single dish at official events
The notification stated that only a single dish would be served at marriage-related functions and events.
Market closing timings remain unchanged
The Cabinet Division notification stated that previously announced market closing timings would continue to remain applicable.
According to the schedule:
- Shops, markets, shopping malls, departmental stores, grocery stores and general stores will close at 9:00 PM.
- Marriage halls, marquees and commercial venues hosting festive events will close at 10:00 PM.
- Restaurants, cafes, eateries and food outlets will close at 11:00 PM, while takeaway and home delivery services will remain exempt.
Pharmacies, medical stores, hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, standalone bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, fuel and CNG stations, electric vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities, IT companies and call centres have been exempted from these timings.
Exemption mechanism
The federal government has allowed requests for exemption from these austerity measures to be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures.
The committee will forward its recommendations for approval of the prime minister.
The notification added that provincial and regional governments may also consider adopting similar measures.
