Austerity measures: Exemptions to be limited to essential, time-bound work: Dar

ISLAMABAD: In a clear signal that the government is tightening its belt, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday stressed that requests for exemptions from austerity measures should be strictly limited to essential, time-bound work.

Chairing a high-level meeting of the cabinet committee on monitoring and implementation of fuel conservation and additional austerity measures, Dar reviewed the rollout of austerity policies across federal and provincial departments.

He expressed satisfaction with compliance so far but emphasized that the government is not easing its grip.

READ MORE: Dar for implementing PM’s austerity measures

“Given the current challenges, it is critical that all sectors strictly adhere to conservation and austerity until the circumstances improve,” Dar said, underscoring the government’s insistence on disciplined resource management. During the meeting, the Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja showcased a comprehensive dashboard designed to track the implementation of austerity measures in real time, allowing the government to pinpoint gaps and ensure accountability.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026