Pakistan Announces 3-Month Austerity Drive Amid Fuel Price Hike
Provincial and regional governments may also consider adopting austerity measures similar to those introduced by the federal government.
The federal government has announced an austerity campaign in response to rising prices of petroleum products.
According to a notification issued by the federal government, shops, markets and shopping malls in Islamabad will close at 9pm. Marriage halls, marquees and other commercial activities will close by 10pm, while hotels, restaurants and cafes will shut at 11pm. The austerity campaign will remain in effect for three months.
According to the notification, pharmacies, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, tandoors and petrol pumps will be exempt from the restrictions.
The government has decided to ground 50% of official vehicles and reduce fuel allocations for government vehicles by 50%. Essential services and operational vehicles of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will be exempt from the fuel reduction.
The notification also imposes a complete ban on the purchase of all types of new vehicles. Government institutions will also be barred from purchasing durable goods, except for IT equipment.
Official foreign trips and travel will be completely banned for three months. In case of unavoidable foreign visits, ministers, advisers and government officials will travel in economy class. Government meetings have been directed to be held preferably through video conferencing.
Vehicles of the armed forces, civil armed forces and law enforcement agencies will be exempt from the fuel reduction measures.
The government has also banned hosting official dinners, except those held in honour of foreign delegations. Government-funded seminars, training programmes and conferences will also be prohibited.
For unavoidable official events, government auditoriums and committee rooms have been directed to be used. Only one dish will be permitted at wedding-related events.
Takeaway and home-delivery services will be exempt from the 11pm closure requirement. Bakeries, milk and dairy shops will also be exempt.
Gyms, sports facilities, paddle courts, IT companies and call centres will be exempt from the prescribed operating-hour restrictions.
According to the notification, requests for exemptions from the austerity measures will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A committee will submit its recommendations to the prime minister for approval of exemptions.
Provincial and regional governments may also consider adopting austerity measures similar to those introduced by the federal government.
