ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed all federal ministries and divisions to strictly implement the government’s newly announced “war austerity plan,” focusing on the transparency, accountability, and effective energy conservation measures amid the ongoing global energy crisis.
The prime minister said all government departments would undergo third-party audits to evaluate whether austerity measures were being implemented effectively.
He stressed that the steps were necessary to ensure economic stability as Pakistan navigates regional and global challenges arising from the conflict affecting international oil markets.
“The austerity measures taken by government departments should undergo a third-party audit to assess their impact and ensure transparency and effectiveness,” the prime minister stated during the meeting.
The prime minister approved a four-day workweek for federal offices, declaring Friday an additional weekly holiday in order to reduce energy consumption and operational expenses.
He also directed ministries and divisions to submit photographs of government vehicles taken off the road under the austerity policy to the Cabinet Division.
The committee will review daily progress reports from ministries and provide updates to the government.
The meeting was attended by several federal ministers, including Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, along with senior officials.
Meanwhile, the Federal Directorate of Education announced that schools and colleges in Islamabad would remain closed during the latter half of the month, while universities would conduct classes online.
The provincial cabinet approved a comprehensive austerity plan that includes a 16-day closure of schools, online classes for colleges and universities, and a 50 percent reduction in fuel allocations for official vehicles for two months.
