Markets and shopping malls will have to close by 9 pm, while fuel allocations for government vehicles will be cut by 50% for three months. Pakistan has announced a sweeping new austerity package as rising fuel costs and energy-supply concerns put additional pressure on the country's economy. The measures, notified by the Cabinet Division on September 17, target both public spending and fuel consumption. Markets and shopping malls have been ordered to close by 9 pm, while wedding halls and other event venues must shut by 10 pm. Weddings have also been restricted to one dish, and restaurants, cafes and food outlets will have to close by 11 pm, although takeaway and home-delivery services are exempt. The government has also ordered a 50% reduction in fuel allocations for official vehicles for three months. Federal departments have been barred from purchasing new vehicles, while purchases of durable goods have been prohibited except for information-technology equipment. A further 5% reduction in non-employee-related expenditure has been ordered for the 2026-27 financial year. The fuel restriction does not apply to operational vehicles used by the armed forces, civil armed forces, law-enforcement agencies, essential services and the Federal Board of Revenue. However, administrative and non-operational vehicles in these organisations will remain subject to the fuel reduction. Officials have also been instructed to use teleconferencing wherever possible to reduce travel and associated costs. Foreign travel by ministers, advisers, parliamentarians and government officials has been restricted for three months. Scholarships and certain training programmes are exempt, while Pakistan's diplomatic missions can attend overseas engagements where their presence is considered necessary. Government-funded seminars, conferences and training programmes have also been restricted. Official dinners have been prohibited, except for events involving foreign delegations. The austerity drive comes as Pakistan continues to adjust domestic fuel prices amid volatility in international energy markets. From September 18, petrol prices were reduced by 43 paise to PKR 390.79 per litre, while high-speed diesel increased by PKR 3.47 to PKR 424.92 per litre, according to a Petroleum Division notification. The revision followed increases of PKR 6.88 for petrol and PKR 5.62 for diesel a day earlier. Pakistan has been reviewing petroleum prices daily since July as the conflict in West Asia has increased volatility in crude oil and fuel markets. The government has also introduced targeted fuel relief, offering a subsidy of PKR 100 per litre to eligible owners of motorcycles, rickshaws and small cars, subject to monthly limits. Pakistan imports most of its energy, leaving the country exposed to disruption along key regional supply routes. Concerns have intensified over oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz, while fighting involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis has created additional risks for shipping through the Red Sea. The latest austerity package is Pakistan's second major such drive this year. In March, the government temporarily closed schools, shifted universities online, reduced attendance at government offices and grounded non-essential official vehicles as it sought to curb fuel consumption. The latest measures now extend those efforts across government spending, fuel use and commercial activity as Islamabad seeks to manage the economic impact of the ongoing regional energy disruption. Yuvraj Tyagi is a Senior Copy Editor, specializing in security, national, international and defense affairs. With extensive experience covering the Ka... View More