Islamabad, March 10, 2026 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday unveiled a comprehensive energy conservation and austerity plan aimed at reducing government expenditure and fuel consumption in both the public and private sectors to shield citizens from the impact of rising global oil prices.
The measures were announced in a televised address after a high-level meeting of federal and provincial authorities to finalize steps for cutting government spending and providing relief to the public.
Under the plan, fuel allocations for government department vehicles will be reduced by 50 percent for the next two months, while 60 percent of government vehicles will remain grounded to conserve fuel. Ambulances and public transport buses will be exempt from the measure.
The prime minister also announced that federal ministers, advisers and special assistants will not draw salaries for the next two months, with the funds redirected toward public relief efforts. Additionally, salaries of members of parliament will be reduced by 25 percent.
Officers in Grade 20 and above earning more than Rs300,000 per month will contribute the equivalent of two days’ salary toward relief initiatives. Operational expenditures of government departments, excluding salaries, will be reduced by 20 percent.
A complete ban has also been imposed on the purchase of furniture, air conditioners and other non-essential items in government offices. Foreign visits by federal and provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and government officials have been suspended unless deemed essential for national interest. The restriction will also apply to the prime minister, chief ministers and governors.
Sharif said teleconferencing and online meetings will be prioritized to reduce fuel consumption, while government dinners and iftar gatherings have been banned as part of the austerity drive. Seminars and conferences will also no longer be held in hotels and must instead take place at government premises with approval from a special committee.
As part of broader energy-saving measures, 50 percent of staff in both government and private sectors—excluding essential services—will work from home. Offices will operate four days a week, with an additional weekly holiday introduced to conserve fuel. The measure will not apply to banks, as well as the industrial and agricultural sectors.
The prime minister further announced a two-week vacation for all schools, while higher education institutions will immediately shift to online classes.
Explaining the reasons behind the recent increase in fuel prices, Sharif said the region was facing a serious and volatile situation due to escalating tensions and conflict in the Middle East. He noted that global crude oil prices had surged from around $60 per barrel to more than $100 in recent days and warned that further escalation could push prices even higher.
The prime minister expressed concern over the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict in the region and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to resolving issues through diplomacy and dialogue.
He also paid tribute to the armed forces for safeguarding the country’s borders and combating terrorism, particularly along the western frontier. Sharif praised the leadership of Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, for protecting Pakistan’s sovereignty and citizens.
The prime minister strongly condemned attacks on Iran and several Muslim countries in the region and expressed condolences over the loss of innocent lives. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with brotherly nations including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
Sharif emphasized that Pakistan considers the security and stability of these countries as closely linked to its own national security.
Despite the global economic pressures, the prime minister assured citizens that the government would continue to take measures to stabilize the economy and minimize the burden on the public. He urged affluent members of society to support vulnerable communities and warned hoarders and profiteers against exploiting the situation, promising strict action against those involved in illegal practices.
Earlier, a comprehensive review meeting on the national economy was held under the chairmanship of the prime minister to finalize the austerity measures. The meeting was attended by senior government leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with federal and provincial officials and other senior authorities.
