Islamabad: The National Assembly Secretariat has announced new austerity and fuel conservation measures to better utilize public resources, reduce energy consumption, and support the Federal Government’s national austerity drive. These measures were implemented under the direction of Speaker National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and are part of a broader policy initiated by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the Secretariat has issued a formal notification outlining these measures. Under the new policy, only 20 percent of staff will perform duties physically at their workplaces, with the remaining 80 percent working from home on a rotational basis. Staff working remotely will remain accessible via various communication tools and must report to the office within an hour if required. Additionally, a four-day working week will be observed, excluding National Assembly session days.

The energy conservation efforts aim for a 70 percent reduction in electricity consumption by minimizing use of lights and appliances. Parliamentary sessions and committee meetings will be scheduled before sunset to conserve electricity, and energy from the Green Parliament Project will be utilized to reduce reliance on the national grid.

For transport, official vehicle usage will be reduced by 70 percent, with only essential functions retaining transport facilities. Virtual meetings will be promoted to cut down travel and fuel costs, and the number of meetings will be limited.

Additional austerity measures include a 25 percent temporary salary and allowance reduction for Members of the National Assembly, a suspension of all procurement except essential needs, and a move towards a paperless working environment. Foreign visits by parliamentary delegations have also been suspended.

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasized that these actions underscore the Secretariat’s commitment to supporting the Government’s austerity campaign amid current economic and regional challenges.