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Pakistan Notifies Immediate Three‑Month Austerity and Fuel‑Conservation Package

The government says the measures respond to Gulf and Middle East fighting that has driven up domestic fuel prices and raised risks to energy supplies.

Overview

  • The Cabinet Division issued the notification on Thursday and ordered a 50% cut to fuel allocations for official vehicles for three months with exemptions for armed forces, law enforcement, emergency services and operational FBR units.
  • Federal departments face a three‑month ban on foreign travel with narrow exceptions and a blanket prohibition on buying new government vehicles and most durable goods while IT purchases and development projects remain exempt.
  • The non‑employee recurring (Non‑ERE) budget for FY2026‑27 will be reduced by 5% through monthly deductions and the cut will also apply to foreign missions while maintaining rent, education and medical payments.
  • Commercial hours have been moved earlier for energy saving: shops and markets must close by 9pm, marriage halls by 10pm and restaurants by 11pm with listed exemptions for pharmacies, hospitals, fuel/EV stations, bakeries, IT firms and call centres.
  • A monitoring committee will handle exemption requests case by case and send recommendations to the prime minister while provinces and regional administrations have been asked to consider adopting similar steps.