Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said savings from government austerity measures will be used for public relief. He chaired a meeting to review fuel price impacts and cost-cutting steps. Officials discussed policies to maintain stability in petroleum product prices.
Federal ministers and senior officials attended the meeting in Islamabad. Participants included Attaullah Tarar, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Bilal Azhar Kayani. The chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue and other officials also joined the session.
Read more: PM Shehbaz announces four-day workweek, austerity
Officials briefed the meeting on progress in implementing government cost-saving policies. They said funds saved through austerity measures would be directed toward public relief. The briefing emphasized that all savings would support citizens during the current economic situation.
The meeting also decided to reduce salaries of employees in government-owned and autonomous institutions. Salary cuts will range from five to thirty percent depending on positions. Authorities said the gradually saved funds will be redirected toward public relief programs.
Read more: Shehbaz makes urgent Saudi visit amid rising Middle East tensions
The statement added that law enforcement agencies and the Federal Board of Revenue will not follow a four-day workweek policy. Meanwhile, the prime minister directed overseas missions to celebrate Pakistan Day on March 23 with simplicity. He also maintained a ban on foreign visits by ministers and senior officials.