Pakistan Extends Countrywide Austerity Drive Until June 30
Pakistan's government committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, has recommended extending austerity measures until June 30 in response to global oil crisis impacts. The measures, initially announced in March following Middle East tensions, include a four-day work week for government offices, fuel restrictions, and vehicle groundings. The extension aims to manage economic pressures from regional geopolitical developments affecting global energy markets.
Pakistan's austerity committee has extended cost-cutting measures through June 30, building on measures first implemented in March. The government attributed the initial austerity drive to a global oil crisis stemming from Middle East tensions. The measures include reducing government work weeks to four days (Monday-Thursday), cutting fuel allowances by 50 percent for official vehicles, grounding 60 percent of government vehicles, and banning non-essential foreign visits by officials. The committee also approved operational adjustments, including extending consular services to Fridays and allowing grocery stores to remain open until 10pm. The extension came after the Prime Minister had previously approved measures through June 13, with the committee reviewing exemption requests from various ministries during Wednesday's meeting.
What's missing
The article does not provide specific details on the economic impact or effectiveness of the initial austerity measures implemented in March, nor does it include public or opposition response to the extension.
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