ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly and Senate secretariats have introduced a series of austerity measures, including work-from-home arrangements, a 50% reduction in fuel consumption and a ban on purchasing new official vehicles.
Under the measures, half of the National Assembly Secretariat’s employees will work from home. Meanwhile, Senate Secretariat employees will receive permission to work remotely only on Fridays, while attendance at Senate offices will remain mandatory from Monday through Thursday.
According to the notification, employees working from home will not receive daily allowances or overtime payments.
Fuel Consumption Cut by 50% Under Austerity Plan
Furthermore, both secretariats have ordered a 50% reduction in fuel consumption for government vehicles as part of efforts to control official expenditure.
Authorities have also imposed a complete ban on official events and prohibited the purchase of new vehicles.
In addition, the National Assembly and Senate secretariats will reduce non-development expenditure by 5%. Officials will review spending every month and make further reductions where necessary.
Foreign Trips Suspended for Three Months
The austerity measures also restrict the purchase of durable goods. Both secretariats have banned such purchases, although information technology equipment will remain exempt from the restriction.
Moreover, officials will suspend all official foreign trips for three months, further limiting expenditure on overseas travel.
The secretariats have als
