PESHAWAR: The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) has decided to introduce a four-day working schedule in its offices as part of efforts to control rising operational costs, particularly due to increasing fuel prices.
According to an official notification issued in Peshawar, the power utility has announced several austerity measures aimed at reducing expenditures.
Under the new arrangement, PESCO offices will function from Monday to Thursday, while Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be observed as weekly holidays for staff members.
The notification also states that fuel allocation for official vehicles will be reduced by 50 percent. In addition, nearly 60 percent of the company’s government vehicles will remain unused for the next two months to further lower costs.
Field inspections will only take place when absolutely necessary and will require prior authorization from the relevant authorities.
Employees have also been instructed to remain accessible online during holidays to ensure that essential work continues without disruption. Furthermore, internal meetings and hearings within the organization will now be conducted virtually.
To save electricity expenses, the use of air conditioners in offices will also be cut by half.
Earlier, the federal government of Pakistan announced a similar four-day working week for government offices as part of broader austerity and energy conservation efforts.
According to the Cabinet Division of Pakistan, government offices will operate from Monday to Thursday, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday designated as official holidays.
Additionally, as part of the cost-saving plan, government officers in Grade 20 and above, or those earning more than Rs300,000 per month, have been asked to voluntarily donate two days’ salary. However, the salary deduction will not apply to workers in the health and education sectors.
The initiative is intended to reduce government spending while ensuring that essential administrative functions continue smoothly.
