Pakistan restores five-day workweek, ends austerity measures
The federal government has decided to roll back several fuel-saving and austerity measures, restoring routine administrative operations across government institutions.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the government has abolished the additional weekly holiday introduced under cost-cutting measures and reinstated a five-day workweek in all public departments.
Authorities have also reversed the 50 percent reduction in fuel allocations for official vehicles. In addition, the earlier decision to keep 60 percent of government vehicles off the roads has been withdrawn, allowing departments to resume normal transportation operations.
The notification stated that the requirement to deduct two days' salary from officers in Grade 20 and above has also been cancelled. Likewise, the previous directive ordering a 20 percent cut in expenditures across all government departments has been revoked.
The government has further lifted restrictions on official foreign visits by federal and provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, and governors.
Meanwhile, the condition requiring both public and private sector organisations to operate with only 50 percent staff strength has also been abolished. Institutions will now be allowed to function with their full workforce.
Officials said the decisions were made in view of current administrative requirements and the complete restoration of normal business and social activities across the country.
The austerity measures were initially introduced to reduce fuel consumption and control government spending during a period of economic pressure. Their withdrawal signals the government's intention to improve administrative efficiency and ensure the smooth functioning of public services.