Govt slashes official fuel quota by 50% for 3 months

September 17, 2026 (MLN): The federal government has slashed fuel provision for official vehicles by 50% for three months and imposed a complete ban on the purchase of vehicles and durable goods, as part of a fresh round of austerity and fuel conservation measures effective immediately.

Armed Forces, Civil Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, Essential Services and FBR operational vehicles are excluded from the fuel cut, though the reduction will still apply to administrative and non-operational formations within these entities. Development projects remain outside the scope of all measures.

The Non-Development (Non-ERE) Budget for FY2026-27 will see a 5% reduction, deducted monthly, and extending to foreign missions and officers posted abroad, though their rent, education and medical obligations will continue to be met.

A complete ban has also been placed on foreign visits and travel for three months, with exceptions only for scholarships offered by international development partners and training arranged through the Economic Affairs Division or under government institutional agreements; ambassadors and high commissioners will represent Pakistan at obligatory events in the interim.

Where travel is unavoidable, ministers, advisors, ministers of state, special assistants to the Prime Minister and other government functionaries must travel economy class.

Other measures include a shift toward teleconferencing for meetings except within the same city, a ban on official dinners barring visiting foreign delegations, a prohibition on government-funded seminars, trainings and conferences (to be held at government venues where unavoidable), and a single-dish requirement at marriage-related functions.

Market closing timings notified in June 2026 will continue to apply:

Requests for exemption from any of these measures may be considered case-by-case by the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures, subject to the Prime Minister's approval, with no further clearance required from the Finance Division's separate Austerity Committee.

Provincial and regional governments have been advised to consider adopting similar measures.

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