Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that savings generated through government cost-cutting and austerity measures will be utilized to provide relief to the public.

The prime minister chaired a meeting attended by federal ministers including Attaullah Tarar, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and other senior officials. The meeting reviewed the impact of petroleum prices and the implementation of government savings measures.

According to the official statement, discussions were held on policy steps to maintain stability in petroleum product prices and on the progress and impact of austerity measures introduced by the government.

Officials informed the meeting that funds saved through these measures will be directed toward public relief in the current economic situation.

The meeting also decided that employees of government-owned and autonomous institutions will face salary deductions ranging from 5% to 30%, and the saved funds will be used for public welfare. Government representatives on boards of corporations and other institutions will no longer receive meeting fees, which will also be added to the savings pool.

It was clarified that the four-day workweek policy will not apply to law-enforcement agencies and the FBR, and their employees will continue working under the existing schedule.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also directed that Pakistan’s embassies worldwide observe the Pakistan Day (23 March) celebrations with simplicity. Additionally, all foreign visits by government officials, ministers, ministers of state, and special assistants have been banned as part of austerity efforts.