ISLAMABAD – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting of the committee responsible for monitoring and implementing fuel conservation and additional austerity measures. The committee reviewed multiple exemption requests submitted by various ministries and divisions regarding the applicability of certain austerity measures, finalizing its recommendations accordingly, according to an official statement.
Key Decisions on Public Services
In a move to facilitate the public, 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 remain operational on Fridays as well. This extension aims to provide greater convenience for citizens requiring attestation services.
Extension of Austerity Measures
The committee further recommended extending the applicability period of additional austerity measures whose expiry date had been set for June 13, 2026, until June 30, 2026. This extension ensures continued fiscal discipline and resource optimization.
Revised Operating Hours for Retail Stores
Additionally, the committee decided to extend the closing time of standalone grocery and kiryana stores to 10:00 PM on all days of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays. This change is expected to provide more flexibility for consumers and businesses alike.
Meeting Attendees
The meeting was attended by the Ministers for Petroleum, Climate Change, and IT & Telecom; the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Finance; the Special Assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister (SADPM); the Secretaries of Cabinet, Commerce, Petroleum, and IT & Telecom; as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries and divisions.
