Senate ends fuel conservation, austerity measures after fuel prices ease

<p>ISLAMABAD: The Senate Secretariat has terminated all “Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures” with immediate effect and will return to a regular five-day work week with full staff strength from June 22 (Monday).</p> <p>The rollback comes following a <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2008902">US-Iran deal</a> and a subsequent <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2009236">reduction in fuel prices</a>.</p> <p>According to a notification issued on Saturday, and signed by Deputy Secretary HRM-I Qasim Omer, the measures introduced since March 12, 2026, have been withdrawn.</p> <figure class='media w-full sm:w-full media-- media--uneven media--stretch' data-original-src='https://i.dawn.com/large/2026/06/202108162ae1cb9.webp'> <div class='media__item '><picture><img src='https://i.dawn.com/large/2026/06/202108162ae1cb9.webp' alt='' /></picture></div> </figure> <p>The notification, issued with the approval of the chairman Senate, says that the secretariat will work Monday to Friday with full staff strength.</p> <p>The office hours will be 9am to 5pm on non-session days and until the conclusion of a session when it is underway.</p> <p>The notification has been marked for “immediate publication in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary)”.</p> <p>Copies have been sent to all senators, Senate office-bearers, the Cabinet Division, and senior officials.</p> <p>The government <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1980219/govt-announces-austerity-measures-to-brace-for-economic-impact-of-middle-east-war">imposed</a> fuel conservation and austerity measures in mid-March 2026 to cut non-essential spending amid high global oil prices and IMF fiscal targets.</p> <p>Lower crude prices following diplomatic developments between Washington and Tehran have since eased pressure on Pakistan’s import bill, allowing ministries and departments to restore normal operations.</p> <p>A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2009322">approved termination</a> of all ‘fuel conservation and additional austerity measures’ notified by the Cabinet Division from time to time since March 9, except for market timings specified in notifications of June 3 and 10, which shall remain applicable.</p>