Pakistan to observe Friday as additional weekly holiday under austerity measures

ISLAMABAD — The federal government has decided to observe Friday as an additional weekly holiday as part of austerity and energy conservation measures introduced in response to the current regional situation.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday to review the implementation of government policies aimed at reducing energy consumption and controlling public expenditure.

Prime Minister Sharif said the government was taking steps to maintain economic stability despite challenging global and regional conditions. He noted that the additional weekly holiday was part of broader efforts to conserve energy and reduce operational costs in government institutions.

Committee formed to monitor austerity measures

The prime minister said a special committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had been established to review the implementation of austerity and energy-saving measures on a daily basis.

According to officials, the committee will monitor progress and submit regular reports to the government on the effectiveness of the policies.

Sharif also directed that a third-party audit be conducted to evaluate the impact of the austerity measures and ensure transparency in their implementation.

Ministries directed to enforce energy-saving steps

The prime minister instructed all federal ministries and divisions to fully implement policies related to simplicity, austerity and energy conservation.

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He also directed government departments to provide photographic evidence to the Cabinet Division of vehicles taken out of operation under the austerity drive.

In addition, ministries were asked to submit reports to the Prime Minister’s Office on efforts to strengthen work-from-home arrangements as part of the government’s efficiency measures.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and other senior officials, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.