The federal government has formally issued a notification introducing three weekly holidays as part of a wider austerity campaign. Under the new plan, government offices will remain open only four days a week from Monday to Thursday.
According to the notification released by the Cabinet Division, government offices will stay closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The move is part of an effort to reduce official spending and manage national resources more carefully during challenging economic conditions.
The notification also includes instructions for senior government officers. Officials in Grade 20 or those earning more than Rs300,000 per month have been asked to voluntarily accept a salary deduction of two days. However, this reduction will not apply to employees working in the health and education sectors.
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The policy has been introduced following an austerity campaign announced by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The campaign aims to reduce unnecessary government expenditures and promote financial discipline in public institutions.
At the same time, the Punjab government has also issued its own notification to implement strict cost cutting measures. Under the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, several steps have been taken to control government spending across the province.
One major decision includes reducing the fuel quota for official vehicles used by government officers by 50 percent. Protocol vehicles for provincial ministers and senior officials have also been banned, while the number of security vehicles accompanying them has been limited.
The notification also states that the purchase of new government vehicles will remain banned until June 2026. In Punjab, government offices will also follow a four day working schedule from Monday to Thursday, while Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will remain holidays. However, essential services will continue to operate normally and will not follow the four day workweek.
Authorities have also instructed departments to call only essential staff to offices and hold official meetings online whenever possible. Government departments have been encouraged to implement work from home policies to reduce operational costs.
Officials have also been asked to limit travel and accommodation expenses related to official duties. The private sector has also been advised to promote work from home arrangements and reduce unnecessary events and gatherings.
In addition, the government has completely banned official dinners except for those held in honor of foreign delegations. Any seminars, training sessions, or conferences organized by government institutions will now require prior approval.
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To monitor fuel supply and prevent misuse, district committees have been formed. A track and trace system has also been introduced to oversee petroleum products. Authorities have ordered strict monitoring of transport fares in all districts and instructed officials to ensure the availability of essential commodities.
The government is trying to reduce spending through several strict steps. A shorter workweek can lower fuel and operational costs. However, the success of this plan will depend on how effectively departments follow the new rules and maintain productivity.
