The federal government has announced a fresh set of austerity measures aimed at conserving fuel and cutting official expenditure amid rising petroleum prices, including a 50 per cent reduction in fuel allocations for government departments and a five per cent cut in expenditures.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, federal ministries, divisions and departments have been directed to reduce fuel consumption and curtail non-essential spending as part of the government’s cost-saving measures.
Government officers have been instructed to give priority to video conferencing for official meetings to reduce travel and fuel use.
The notification also imposed a complete ban on official dinners funded by the government, except those arranged for foreign delegations.
Government-funded seminars, training programmes and conferences have also been barred under the austerity plan.
For essential official events, departments have been directed to use government-owned auditoriums, conference halls and committee rooms instead of hiring private venues.
The measures also include restrictions on commercial and social activities as part of the broader effort to reduce energy consumption.
Under the new directives, only one dish will be allowed at wedding ceremonies.
Shops, markets, shopping malls and bazaars will be required to close by 9pm.
Wedding halls, marquees and other event venues will have to close by 10pm, while restaurants, cafes and food outlets will be required to shut by 11pm.
Takeaway and home-delivery services will, however, remain exempt from the restrictions imposed on restaurants and food outlets.
The government has also exempted essential services from the revised operating hours.
Pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, petrol pumps and other essential sectors will be allowed to continue operating beyond the prescribed closing times.
Bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, electric vehicle charging stations and gyms have also been exempted from the revised timings.
The notification said requests for exemption from the austerity measures would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The federal government also said provincial and regional governments could consider adopting similar measures in their respective jurisdictions.
The measures come as the government seeks to limit the impact of higher fuel prices on public expenditure and reduce energy consumption across the country.