Federal govt announces 4-day work week under austerity plan

The federal government has issued a notification introducing a four-day work week for government offices as part of an austerity package announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday.

According to the notification issued by the Cabinet Division, government offices will remain open from Monday to Thursday each week, while Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be observed as holidays.

The decision is part of broader cost-cutting measures aimed at reducing government expenditures. In addition, officers in Grade 20 and above, or those receiving a monthly salary of more than Rs300,000 in all federal and provincial government institutions, have been instructed to voluntarily contribute their two-day salary.

Officials clarified that the salary deduction will not apply to employees working in the health and education sectors.

The notification follows the austerity package announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a day earlier, which aims to curb government spending and promote financial discipline amid ongoing economic challenges.