Pakistan announces austerity drive: foreign travel ban and 1-dish wedding rule

Pakistan announced a fresh set of austerity measures on Thursday as rising global fuel prices and growing energy supply concerns put pressure on the government. The measures include a 50% cut in fuel allocations for government vehicles, a ban on foreign visits and a freeze on the purchase of new government vehicles.

Approved by the Pakistan cabinet, the austerity measures were implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force for three months. The measures are aimed at reducing fuel consumption and government expenditure.

“The Federal Government, on consideration of the recommendations of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures, has been pleased to direct the implementation of the following austerity and fuel conservation measures, with immediate effect,” read the Cabinet Division notification issued on September 17, reports cnbctv18.

Under the new restrictions, fuel allocations for government vehicles will be reduced by half. Operational vehicles used by the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and essential services have been exempted, although the cut will apply to administrative and non-operational vehicles.

The government has also ordered a 5% reduction in non-employee-related expenditure for the current financial year.

Official foreign visits and travel have been banned for three months. In unavoidable cases, ministers, advisers and government officials will have to travel in economy class. The government has also directed officials to rely on video and teleconferencing for meetings wherever possible.

The purchase of new government vehicles has been prohibited, while procurement of durable goods has also been banned, except for IT-related equipment. Official dinners have been prohibited as well, apart from those hosted for visiting foreign delegations.

The government has also continued restrictions on business hours. Shops, markets and shopping malls will close by 9 pm, marriage halls by 10 pm and restaurants, cafes and eateries by 11 pm. Pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories and several essential services have been exempted.

The austerity measure also calls for only a single dish to be served at marriage-related functions and events. Government-funded seminars, training programmes and conferences have also been restricted, with authorities directed to avoid unnecessary expenditure.