Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): The federal cabinet has approved a 40 percent reduction in the fuel quota for all government employees and cabinet members.
The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved on Tuesday, issued directives to public sector offices to open at 8am and restored the official Saturday holiday.
“Saturday offs have been restored. These are challenging times and it has been done to control this crisis,” Information Minister Aurangzeb said while talking to the media after attending cabinet meeting.
She said the cabinet had been advised to reduce the quota by 33 percent for government employees only. However, the cabinet and premier decided to reduce it by 40 percent.
“So while we are asking people to sacrifice, we have begun these measures with the cabinet in order to pass on as little burden to the people as possible,” she maintained.
The meeting also further contemplated the early closure of markets to maximize the use of daylight.
She said that PM Shehbaz would hold a meeting tomorrow with traders and business communities to take them into confidence before making a decision regarding the closure of markets.
The minister maintained that unnecessary foreign visits of government officials have also been banned, in addition to seeking medical treatment abroad.
