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austerity measures

Federal govt extends austerity measures to curb government spending

by
Federal govt

ISLAMABAD: Federal government has decided to continue austerity measures during the current fiscal year as part of efforts to control public expenditure, according to official sources.

Sources said the federal cabinet has approved the continuation of cost-cutting measures, and the Cabinet Division has forwarded the decision to the Ministry of Finance for implementation. A formal notification is expected to be issued soon.

Under the decision, all federal government posts that have remained vacant for the past three years will be abolished, while the creation of new positions will remain prohibited.

The government will also maintain a ban on the purchase of all types of official vehicles, machinery and equipment during the current fiscal year.

Restrictions on government-funded overseas medical treatment and non-essential foreign travel for public officials will also remain in place.

The measures are part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce expenditures and strengthen fiscal discipline amid ongoing economic challenges.

Sindh tightens business hours with new austerity measures

by
Sindh tightens

KARACHI: The Government of Sindh has announced the implementation of an austerity policy, directing early closure of shops and shopping malls across the province.

According to an official notification, new business hours have been introduced for markets, hotels, and wedding halls. In districts other than divisional headquarters, all shops, markets, and shopping malls will close at 8:00 PM. Meanwhile, in divisional headquarters including Karachi, these establishments will remain open until 9:00 PM.

Under the new rules, hotels and food outlets will be allowed to operate from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM. However, home delivery and takeaway services will continue without any restrictions.

Wedding halls and banquet facilities will be permitted to host events from 8:00 PM to midnight.

The notification also clarifies that essential services such as tandoors, milk shops, bakeries, medical stores, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, and petrol pumps will remain exempt from these restrictions.

The austerity measures have been enforced with immediate effect. Authorities, including commissioners and deputy commissioners, have been directed to ensure strict implementation in coordination with law enforcement agencies.

It is worth noting that similar measures have already been introduced in other provinces following the federal government’s austerity policy, with Punjab and Balochistan also enforcing early market closures.