Prime Minister Reviews Austerity And Energy Conservation Measures

March 10, 2026 Diplomats World

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review the implementation of government measures related to austerity and energy conservation in light of the evolving regional situation. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s House and focused on evaluating the progress of steps announced by the government to promote fiscal discipline and reduce energy consumption.

Government Announces Friday As Weekly Additional Holiday Nationwide

During the meeting, it was decided that the additional weekly public holiday would be observed on Fridays as part of the government’s efforts to conserve energy and improve administrative efficiency. Officials said the decision was taken after reviewing various measures introduced to address economic pressures and energy management challenges.

Addressing the participants, the prime minister stated that the government is making every possible effort to maintain economic stability despite the difficult global environment. He emphasized that responsible financial management and energy conservation are critical in ensuring the country’s economic resilience during challenging international conditions.

Special Committee Formed To Monitor Austerity Implementation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif informed the meeting that a special committee has been established under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to monitor the implementation of austerity and energy-saving measures. The committee will review progress on a daily basis and submit reports to the government regarding the effectiveness of these initiatives.

The prime minister also directed that the measures introduced under the austerity policy should undergo a third-party audit. According to officials, the audit will help assess the actual impact of the policies and determine whether the initiatives are achieving the intended results in terms of cost reduction and energy conservation.

Shehbaz Sharif Orders Strict Enforcement Of Energy Saving Policies

The meeting emphasized the need for all federal ministries and divisions to fully implement government directives related to simplicity, austerity, and efficient use of resources. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed government institutions to ensure that all relevant measures are enforced without delay.

In order to improve monitoring and accountability, the prime minister directed ministries and institutions to submit photographic evidence of vehicles that have been withdrawn from operational use under the austerity policy. These images will be submitted to the Cabinet Division for verification and documentation.

The meeting also discussed efforts to strengthen the work-from-home system within government departments. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed each ministry to submit a report to the Prime Minister’s Office outlining the effectiveness of work-from-home arrangements and providing recommendations for improving administrative efficiency.

Federal Ministries Directed To Submit Daily And Weekly Reports

Officials briefed the meeting that all federal ministries and divisions will submit daily and weekly reports to the special committee detailing the steps taken to implement austerity measures and energy-saving initiatives. The reports will also include updates regarding workforce management and operational adjustments introduced to support the policy.

According to the briefing, the reporting mechanism is designed to ensure transparency and allow the government to closely monitor the progress of reforms being implemented across federal institutions. Authorities said the regular reporting process will enable timely evaluation of the measures and help identify areas where further improvements may be required.

The government’s austerity initiative is part of broader efforts aimed at reducing public expenditure, improving energy management, and ensuring responsible use of national resources. Officials said the measures are intended to strengthen economic stability while maintaining the efficiency of government operations.

The meeting concluded with the prime minister reiterating that all ministries must demonstrate commitment to the austerity policy and ensure that the measures are implemented effectively across their respective departments.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahsan Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior government officials.