LAHORE MIRROR — The federal government has launched a three-month austerity and fuel-saving campaign in response to rising petroleum prices, ordering early closure of markets, wedding halls and restaurants and imposing restrictions on official spending and travel.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, shops, markets, shopping malls and bazaars will close at 9pm, wedding halls and marquees at 10pm, and restaurants, cafes and food outlets at 11pm. Takeaway and home-delivery services will be exempt.
Only one dish will be allowed at wedding functions. Pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, petrol pumps, bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, electric vehicle charging stations and gyms will be exempt from the timings.
Fuel allocations for government vehicles will be reduced by 50 per cent for three months. Vehicles used by the armed forces, civil armed forces, essential services and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), as well as those for development projects, will be exempt.
The non-ERE budget for 2026-27 will be cut by five per cent on a monthly basis, excluding development projects. A complete ban will also apply to vehicle and durable-goods purchases, except IT-related procurement.
All official foreign travel will be suspended for three months, including essential trips, while scholarship-related travel will remain exempt.
The government has also directed officials to prioritise video conferencing and barred government-funded seminars, training programmes and conferences, except essential events held at government auditoriums or committee rooms.
Provincial and regional governments have been asked to consider similar austerity and fuel-saving measures.
