The federal government, acting on the recommendations of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures, has announced extensive austerity measures, including a complete ban on officials' foreign travel and visits. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday chaired a meeting that considered the committee's recommendations and approved austerity measures across the country. These include the closure of shopping malls, markets and all departmental stores by 9pm, marquees and marriage halls by 10pm, and restaurants, cafes, eateries, food outlets and standalone fruit and vegetable shops by 11pm in Islamabad.
The austerity measures will also be enforced across all ministries and divisions of the federal government, affiliated departments, legal departments and regulatory bodies. During the meeting, the prime minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure effective and immediate implementation of all austerity measures, and to ensure the wise utilisation of government expenditures and national resources. Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahad Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and Ali Parvez Malik and senior officials attended the meeting.
The meeting was informed that the prime minister would be presented with weekly reports on the implementation of austerity measures. Moreover, the committee would also secure regular reports on implementation from the provincial governments, federal ministries, divisions and departments. Shehbaz told the meeting that the Rs100 per litre petrol subsidy for two-wheelers, three-wheelers and vehicles up to 800cc would continue.
The Cabinet Division also issued a notification following the meeting, according to which there would be a complete ban on foreign visits and travel for three months, even in the case of obligatory visits, except in the case of scholarships offered by international development partners, training and courses arranged through the Economic Affairs Division or under institutional agreements of the Government of Pakistan. The ambassador or high commissioner of Pakistan would represent the country at obligatory and important events, while in the case of unavoidable visits, all ministers, advisors, ministers of state, SAPMs, and parliamentary and government functionaries shall travel only in economy class.
The meeting also approved a 50 percent reduction in fuel provision for official vehicles for three months, excluding operational vehicles of the armed forces, civil armed forces, law enforcement agencies, essential services and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). However, this measure will be implemented in the case of vehicles of administrative or non-operational formations of the latter entities. [This measure is not applicable in the case of development projects.] It also approved a five percent reduction in the non-ERE budget for the whole of FY2026-27, with deductions to be made on a monthly basis.
This measure will also apply in the case of foreign missions and the officers/officials, belonging to any occupational group or service posted in these missions; however, obligations relating to their rents, educational fees and medical care arrangements will be met. [This measure is not applicable in the case of development projects] The meeting also slapped a complete ban on the purchase of vehicles of all types except for development projects.
There would also be a complete ban on the purchase of all durables except IT procurements and development projects. Meetings will be held preferably through teleconferencing, except intra-city meetings, while no official dinners shall be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations. The meeting also approved a prohibition on all official seminars, trainings and conferences funded by the government.
In case of unavoidable requirements for such events to be held, government venues such as auditoriums, committee rooms and other official facilities shall be utilised. A single dish shall be served at all marriage-related functions/ events, and market closing timings as notified by the Cabinet Division's notification No 7-2/2026-Min I dated 19th of June, 2026 shall continue to remain applicable. Shops, markets, shopping malls and bazaars, departmental, grocery, general and kiryana stores will be closed by 9pm.
Marriage halls, marquees and all other commercial places where festive events are held will be closed by 10pm, while restaurants, cafés, eateries and food outlets, standalone fruit and vegetable shops will be closed by 11pm. Takeaway and home delivery will be exempted. However, pharmacies, medical and medical supplies stores, medical laboratories, clinics and hospitals, standalone bakeries, standalone tandoors, standalone milk and dairy shops, fuel/ CNG pumps, electric vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities and sports/ pedal courts, IT companies and call centres will also be exempted from closure timings.
According to the notification, requests for exemption from the austerity measures will be considered on a case-to-case basis. To approve an exemption, the committee will submit its recommendation to the prime minister. Provincial and regional governments may consider adopting austerity measures similar to those of the federal government.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has left for the United Kingdom on a three-day visit. According to sources, he will be in London for two days. Sources said that Shehbaz Sharif will leave for the United States after staying in London.
He will also address the United Nations General Assembly on September 25.