Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting in Islamabad to review and implement strategies on fuel conservation and additional austerity measures. The meeting, held by the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures, addressed several cases from various Ministries and Divisions seeking exemptions from existing austerity protocols.

According to Radio Pakistan, the committee made several key decisions, including the extension of Consular Attestation services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its liaison offices in Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar, Gujrat, and Lahore to remain operational on Fridays to facilitate the public. The committee also recommended extending the period for additional austerity measures, originally set to expire on June 13, to June 30.

Additionally, the committee decided to extend the operating hours of standalone grocery and kiryana stores, allowing them to remain open until 10:00 PM every day, including weekends. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to balance economic constraints with public service facilitation.