The Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures has proposed extending several ongoing policies until June 30, 2026. The proposal also includes revised public service timings and updated shop schedules.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Officials reviewed multiple exemption requests from ministries and departments during the session.
The committee focused on improving efficiency while maintaining public convenience. One major discussion point was related to service hours and operational flexibility across government offices.
Officials said consular attestation services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to operate on Fridays. This service will also remain available at liaison offices in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Gujrat.
The decision aims to support citizens who require documentation services during working days. Authorities emphasized improving accessibility for the public.
The committee also recommended extending the current austerity framework. This framework was earlier scheduled to expire on June 13, 2026. It will now continue until June 30, 2026.
During discussions, the issue of retail timings was also addressed. The committee proposed new closing hours for grocery and kiryana stores across the country.
Under the new plan, shops will remain open until 10:00 PM daily, including weekends. Officials believe this adjustment will improve public convenience and shopping flexibility.
The revised time announcing decisions are part of broader efforts to balance energy conservation and public service needs. Authorities aim to ensure smoother implementation of austerity policies nationwide.
Senior officials from multiple ministries attended the meeting. These included representatives from petroleum, climate change, IT and telecom divisions, and finance advisory offices.
Federal secretaries from cabinet, commerce, petroleum, and IT divisions were also present. They contributed to discussions on operational efficiency and policy extension.
The committee is expected to continue reviewing additional proposals in upcoming sessions. Further updates may be issued after final approval from relevant authorities.
Officials said the time announcing changes are designed to maintain consistency in public services while supporting national austerity goals. They added that implementation will be monitored closely.
The recommendations will now be forwarded for further approval. Once finalized, departments will begin adjusting schedules according to the new guidelines.
The government hopes these measures will help improve service delivery while maintaining economic discipline across sectors.
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