ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Secretariat has introduced a series of austerity and fuel-saving measures, including a rotational work-from-home arrangement for half of its employees, as part of efforts to reduce expenditure.
The measures were approved by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and will come into effect immediately, remaining applicable until further orders, according to a notification issued by the Secretariat.
Under the new arrangement, 50% of employees will continue working from their offices, while the other half will perform their duties remotely on a rotational basis. The relevant wings will prepare duty rosters, subject to approval by the competent authority.
Employees working remotely must remain accessible through phone calls, email, WhatsApp and other communication channels. They may also be instructed by their reporting officers to reach the office within one hour when required.
The notification clarified that staff working from home would not receive diet allowances or overtime payments. Employees have also been directed not to leave their stations without prior approval.
Fuel and vehicle spending curtailed
The Secretariat has decided to cut fuel allocations for official vehicles by 50% for three months.
It has also imposed a complete ban on the purchase of new vehicles.
In addition, the Non-Employee Related Expenditure (ERE) budget will be reduced by 5% during the 2026-27 financial year, with the reduction applied on a monthly basis.
Virtual meetings encouraged
The Secretariat has directed officials to conduct meetings through teleconferencing wherever possible, with intra-city meetings exempted from the requirement.
Standing Committee meetings will also be encouraged to take place virtually to minimise fuel consumption and other expenses.
The number of official meetings will be kept to the minimum necessary until conditions improve, the notification said.
A ban has also been placed on purchasing durable goods, except for essential IT-related items.
Foreign travel, events restricted
Foreign travel by officials has been prohibited for three months, including obligatory trips. Exceptions have been allowed for scholarships provided by international development partners, training and courses arranged through the Economic Affairs Division, and programmes organised under institutional agreements with the Government of Pakistan.
The notification also barred official dinners, except those arranged for visiting foreign delegations.
Government-funded seminars, training programmes and conferences have likewise been prohibited. Where such events are deemed unavoidable, officials have been instructed to use existing government facilities, including auditoriums and committee rooms.
The Secretariat will also move towards paperless operations to reduce spending on printing and other routine office requirements.
According to the notification, the austerity measures were introduced in view of the prevailing global and regional situation and will remain in force until further orders.
