Islamabad, March 9 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a series of measures on Monday to mitigate the impact of the war with Iran, including working from home and a four-day work week.
Addressing the nation on state-run PTV and other private channels, the prime minister said that he was speaking to the nation when the entire region was facing the threat of war.
He said that the impact of the war extends beyond borders and affects other nations, adding that Pakistan's economy is dependent on oil supplies from the Gulf, and the country is facing difficulties due to rising oil prices.
This development comes as the ongoing war between the US and Iran continues, disrupting supply chains as the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz remains paralyzed.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway, connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes.
The Strait was effectively closed following several attacks on ships by Iran in retaliation for joint US-Israel strikes.
The prime minister then announced various measures that the government decided to implement to address any shortage of petroleum due to potential disruption.
"The government has decided that 50 per cent of employees in the public and private sectors will work from home to save fuel," he said. "Furthermore, they will work for only four days a week."
However, he said that banks and key industries would be exempt from these new restrictions.
Shehbaz said that the government has decided to reduce fuel allocation to government vehicles by 50 per cent for the next two months, while 60 per cent of government vehicles will be out of service during this period.
All cabinet ministers and advisors will not receive salaries for two months, and the salaries of all parliamentarians will be reduced by 25 per cent during this period, while all government employees with a salary of more than 300,000 rupees per month will, for one time, surrender two days' salary.
He said that expenses of all government departments will be reduced by 20 per cent, and there will be a ban on the purchase of cars, air conditioning systems, and other luxury items.
He also banned all official foreign travel of ministers, advisors, and officers. However, essential foreign trips will be exempted. He also announced the introduction of mandatory teleconferences and online meetings to save the cost of fuel involved in travelling. A ban was also imposed on all state dinners and iftars.
He also banned holding government-related seminars at hotels and instead ordered that such events should be held in public buildings.
The prime minister also warned owners of filling stations that strict action will be taken in case of hoarding and any other illegal practices.
He also urged the elite and wealthy to come forward and play a role in the success of the austerity measures announced by the government.
The prime minister also discussed the unpopular decision of increasing petroleum prices after the Iran war, saying that it was the most difficult decision.
However, he promised not to burden the masses with further increases in petroleum prices.
"I will try to ensure that the prices are not further increased," he said.
He also expressed condolences at the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while condemning in the strongest words the attacks on various Muslim countries by Iran.
He also said that Pakistan is facing a threat of terrorism from its western border, while the government is making all efforts to safeguard national interests.