A meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, reviewed requests from various ministries and divisions seeking exemptions from certain austerity measures and finalized its recommendations.
Consular Services to Continue on Fridays
The committee decided that Consular Attestation services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its liaison offices in Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar, Gujrat, and Lahore would continue operating on Fridays to facilitate the public.
Extension of Austerity Measures
In addition, the committee recommended extending the validity of additional austerity measures, which were previously set to expire on June 13, until June 30.
Digital Driving License System
The driving license process has been shifted to a digital system for greater convenience.
Grocery Stores Allowed Extended Hours
It was further decided that standalone grocery and kiryana stores would be allowed to remain open until 10:00 pm throughout the week, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Senate Returns Rs1.436 Billion to Exchequer
Meanwhile, the Senate of Pakistan has returned Rs1.436 billion to the national exchequer after implementing a broad austerity and expenditure rationalization campaign under the direction of Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani. According to an official statement, the savings exceeded the target set by the Finance Division by 500 percent and represent 15.9 percent of the Senate's total budget for the fiscal year 2025-26.
The cost-cutting measures were initially introduced in the chairman's office and later expanded across the Senate Secretariat. A comprehensive system of spending controls and efficiency-focused reforms was implemented to strengthen financial discipline and institutionalize prudent use of public resources.
