Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a nationwide austerity and fuel conservation campaign in view of the rise in petroleum prices in the international market amid tensions in the Middle East.

He approved the drive while chairing a meeting on austerity and energy conservation measures in Islamabad today.

The Prime Minister directed relevant institutions to ensure effective and immediate implementation of austerity measures, reduction in unnecessary government expenditure and prudent use of national resources.

He said the rise in global oil prices has triggered inflationary pressures across the world.

The Prime Minister said sacrifices would first be made by the government and the elite.

He highlighted that a fuel subsidy programme for economically vulnerable and middle-income segments has already been launched, under which motorcycles, rickshaws and cars up to 800cc are being provided with a subsidy of one hundred rupees per litre.

The meeting approved a fifty percent reduction in fuel allocation for official vehicles for three months. Ambulances, fire brigades, vehicles of law enforcement agencies and essential services will remain exempt, while no exemption will be allowed for administrative or non-operational vehicles.

A five percent reduction in the Non-ERE Budget for the current fiscal year was also approved. A complete ban has been imposed on the purchase of new government vehicles of all types and on the purchase of durable goods, except IT-related equipment.

Official foreign visits and travel have also been banned for three months. In case of unavoidable foreign visits, Ministers, Advisors, Ministers of State, Special Assistants and government officials will travel in economy class.

The meeting also approved maximum use of video and teleconferencing for official business and a ban on official dinners, except essential dinners hosted in honour of foreign delegations.

It was also decided to avoid unnecessary expenditure on government-sponsored seminars, training programmes and conferences.

The meeting decided to continue implementation of the single-dish policy at weddings and other functions. Shops, markets, shopping malls, bazaars and other general business centres will close by 9 p.m., while marriage halls and other venues for events will close by 10 p.m. Restaurants, cafés, food outlets and standalone fruit and vegetable shops will close by 11 p.m.

Pharmacies, medical centres, hospitals, bakeries, petrol and CNG stations, electric vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities, IT companies and call centres will remain exempt from the timing restrictions.

The Prime Minister was informed that the committee constituted to monitor austerity and fuel conservation measures will obtain implementation reports from ministries, divisions, departments, public-sector entities and provincial governments.

The committee will identify non-compliance and impediments, recommend corrective measures and submit a weekly progress report to the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister further directed that the austerity measures be implemented without discrimination and all possible steps be taken to reduce government expenditure and conserve energy and fuel.

The Federal Government has already approved continuation of austerity measures in force during the current fiscal year.

These measures will also apply to attached departments, state-owned entities, statutory bodies and regulatory authorities of the federal government.