Punjab drops austerity for officials while public bears burden

LAHORE: The Punjab government has withdrawn fuel conservation and other austerity steps for civil servants and government offices, in line with a federal notification, while retaining business closing-hour restrictions imposed on the public.

A notification issued on Monday by the Implementation and Coordination Wing of the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) said the province was ending the fuel conservation and additional austerity measures. The order did not spell out the specific measures being discontinued, though these had been notified at different stages on March 10, and June 3 and 11.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had announced the extraordinary measures on March 9, saying they were being introduced to address economic pressures linked to the regional conflict. Under those decisions, government-provided fuel for provincial ministers was to remain suspended until the petroleum situation improved. She had also ordered a 50 per cent reduction in petrol and diesel allowances for official vehicles used by government officers, along with a ban on protocol vehicles accompanying provincial ministers and senior officials.

Despite the rollback for officials and offices, the restrictions on commercial activity remain in force. Shops, markets, shopping malls, bazaars, departmental stores and general stores will continue to close at 9pm on all weekdays as well as Saturdays and Sundays.

Marriage halls, marquees and other venues hosting festive events must still shut by 10pm. Restaurants, cafes, cinemas, eateries, food outlets, and standalone fruit and vegetable shops, grocery stores and kiryana shops will continue to close by 11pm, although takeaway and home delivery services remain exempt from the timing restrictions.

The notification also maintains exemptions for a range of essential and selected businesses. Pharmacies, medical stores, medical supply outlets, medical laboratories and hospitals are not subject to the notified closing hours. Standalone bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy outlets, fuel pumps, CNG stations, vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities and sports or padel courts, as well as IT companies and call centres, are also exempt.