Despite the continued increase in petrol and diesel prices in Pakistan, government departments are still receiving free fuel for their vehicles, while the government has yet to announce measures to reduce official expenditures and introduce a new austerity policy.
According to government sources, the government is currently only considering ways to reduce official spending and has not yet announced any new measures.
In June, the federal government ended additional fuel-saving and austerity measures. The 50 percent cut in fuel provided to vehicles of government departments was withdrawn.
The closure of 60 percent of vehicles across government departments was also reversed. Similarly, the additional one-day weekly holiday was abolished, restoring a five-day working week instead of four days.
The deduction of two days’ salary from Grade 20 and above officers was also discontinued.
The decision to reduce expenditures by 20 percent across all government departments was withdrawn as well. Restrictions on foreign visits by federal and provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and governors were also lifted.
The requirement for 50 percent of staff to work in government and private-sector institutions, except for essential services, was also ended.
Also Read: Pakistanis Pay Up to Rs130 Per Litre in Levies, Taxes and Margins on Fuel
