Notification Issued On Petroleum Use And Austerity Measures
Mian Nadeem
Published: September 17, 2026, 06:27 PM
The federal government has issued a notification outlining austerity measures in response to rising petroleum product prices.
Key Points:
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Business Restrictions: Shops, markets, and shopping malls in Islamabad will close at 9 p.m., while wedding halls, marquees, and other commercial activities will close by 10 p.m. Hotels, restaurants, and cafes will close at 11 p.m. These measures will be in place for three months.
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Exemptions: Pharmacies, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, tandoors, and petrol pumps are exempt from restrictions. Vehicles used for essential services and operational vehicles of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will also be exempt from fuel reduction.
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Government Vehicle Measures: Fifty percent of government vehicles will be grounded, with a 50% reduction in fuel supplies.
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Purchase Restrictions: There is a complete ban on the purchase of all types of new vehicles. Government institutions are barred from purchasing durable goods, except IT equipment.
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Travel Limitations: Official foreign visits and travel are prohibited for three months. Ministers, advisers, and government officials will fly economy class in unavoidable cases.
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Meetings: Government meetings should be held via video conferencing whenever possible.
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Special Events: Hosting official dinners is banned except for those held for foreign delegations. Wedding events can serve only one dish. Takeaway and home delivery services, bakeries, milk and dairy shops, gyms, sports facilities, paddle courts, IT companies, and call centers are exempt from the closing time restrictions.
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Exemption Requests: Exemptions from austerity measures will be considered on a case-by-case basis by a committee that will submit recommendations to the Prime Minister for approval. Provincial governments may also adopt similar measures.